Our prediction for this Ligue 1 match:
St Etienne will be looking to escape the danger zone in the Ligue 1 standings when they host Metz at their Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Matchday 24. Les Verts are not enjoying a season to remember, and, as things stand now, the team’s main goal is to secure the Ligue 1 survival. Experienced defender Mathieu Debuchy, who suffered an injury in the 1-1 draw with Nantes, is unlikely to feature against Metz.
Les Grenats, on the other hand, have been in a fine form of late. Metz are undefeated in the previous six league fixtures, and they are surely capable of matching St Etienne behind closed doors. A close encounter is on the cards at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, and we are tempted to put our money on draw. The likes of Cabit, N’Doram, Nguette, Niane, and Pajot are all out of contention through injuries.
Highlighted Player (Ryad Boudebouz):
Despite being born in Colmar, France on February 19, 1990 Ryad Boudebouz represents Algeria on the international stage. The Montpellier midfielder played for both France U17 and France U19 teams in the past, but he made his senior debut with Algeria on May 28, 2010 in a friendly against Republic of Ireland.
Speaking of his club career, Boudebouz played for Colmar and Sochaux at youth level and he continued playing for Sochaux first team. After scoring 24 goals in 164 appearances in the league for the club, he moved to Bastia in 2013 and he played 66 games for les Bleus.
Ryad Boudebouz played for the Corsican side from 2013 to 2015 and he signed a four-year deal with Montpellier and you should know that he netted 11 goals in 33 appearances for la Paillade in the 2016/2017 Ligue 1 campaign. His main position is attacking midfield, but he is capable of playing at both left and right winger as well.
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.