Our prediction for this Ligue 1 match:
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard will be packed when St Etienne and Metz face each other in the Ligue 1 relegation playoffs final on Thursday evening. Les Verts are determined to return to the French top flight and we are positive that they will leave their hearts on the field in the first leg. Barring any fresh injury worries, Olivier Dall’Oglio is unlikely to make changes to the team that defeated Rodez in the semis.
Les Grenats, meanwhile, failed to impress in the regular season finale and given their four-match losing run in the national championship, home win should be considered. As for the visitors, both Joel Asoro and Benjamin Tetteh are out of contention with injuries. Laszlo Boloni is likely to stick to the 4-3-3 formation. In their last meeting in a competitive match Metz defeated St Etienne 3-1, meaning that the hosts are hungry for revenge.
Highlighted Team (Metz):
Thanks to amalgamation of two amateur clubs Metz were founded in 1932 and soon they became a professional team. Les Grenats are one of the oldest professional teams in France, but they have yet to win the Ligue 1 trophy. Metz finished the 1997/1998 season in second place in the standings and it has to be noted that they were level on points with champions Lens (worse goal difference).
However, les Grenats won Coupe de France on two occasions (1983/1984, 1987/1988), with the team beating Monaco and Sochaux respectively in the title games. Emmanuel Adebayor is considered one of the most famous players who whore Metz jersey and you should know that the Togolese attacker scored 15 goals in 44 appearances in the league for the club.
Metz play their home games at Stade Saint-Symphorien, the venue which was opened back in September, 1923. Les Grenats wear red shirts and white shorts when playing at home, whilst the colour of their away kits is white.