Preview: Metz vs Strasbourg - prediction, team news, lineups

Metz will be looking to mark their return to Ligue 1 on a positive note as they welcome Strasbourg to Stade Saint-Symphorien this Sunday.

Despite enjoying promotion, the Maroons have endured a tough summer and face a tricky opening fixture against a strong Le Racing side.

Match preview

The 2023-24 campaign was a complete disaster for Metz, who were relegated from Ligue 1 after suffering 21 defeats from 34 games – the most in the competition that season.

The Maroons were able to pick themselves up in the following campaign, forging a path towards a third-placed finish and a promotion playoff victory over Reims.

Metz are now looking ahead to their top-tier return, though confidence is rather low following a series of poor pre-season results and the lack of transfer activity.

The club have seen a number of key departures over the summer, while their last pre-season friendly ended in an 8-0 thrashing at the hands of Hoffenheim – hardly a confidence-boosting result.

Strasbourg, on the other hand, secured European football after finishing seventh in Ligue 1 last season – their second such achievement in four years.

Le Racing will kick off their Europa Conference League qualifying playoff tie against Brondby on Thursday, though their immediate focus is undoubtedly on Metz.

Liam Rosenior, who took over the head coach position at Stade de la Meinau from Patrick Vieira, is one of very few English coaches plying his trade on the continent, and he is certainly giving a good account of himself.

In fact, the Englishman has done well enough to earn full backing from his club, who have pumped in over £100m in summer transfer investment. Signing three players on loan from sister club Chelsea has also helped.

Metz pre-season form:

W W L W W L

Strasbourg pre-season form:

W L L W D

Team News

Metz head into the new season without the likes of Arthur Atta, Papa Amadou Diallo and Matthieu Udol, who have all left the club.

The club have so far failed to address those departures, making just one major signing – that being the £3m addition of goalkeeper Jonathan Fischer.

In terms of injuries, Metz have got nothing to worry about, but they will be without the suspended Gauthier Hein.

Strasbourg, on the other hand, will not be able to count on Saidou Sow, who is dealing with a knee injury.

Ismael Doukoure and Mathis Amougou are also expected to miss the opener, while Andrew Omobamidele sits out through suspension.

Metz possible starting lineup: Fischer; Sane, Mboula, Van Den Kerkhof; Stambouli, Gbamin, Traore, Tsitaishvili; Bokele Mputu, Sane, Gueye

Strasbourg possible starting lineup: Penders; Barco, Hogsberg, Sarr, Samuels-Smith; Mwanga, Oyedele; Nanasi, Lemarechal, Bakwa; Emegha

We say: Metz 0-3 Strasbourg

With the way Metz have gone about things over the summer, you certainly would not have thought they just won promotion to the top tier.

Having sold their stars and failed to replace them, we are not predicting a fruitful future for the Maroons. In fact, we are backing Strasbourg to give them an early-season thrashing.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.