Preview: Saint-Etienne vs. Metz - prediction, team news, lineups

Saint-Etienne take on Metz in Ligue 1 on Sunday, with the visitors able to move to the heady heights of fifth place in the table by securing a victory.

St Etienne, meanwhile, are still not clear of relegation danger, with Lorient just four points behind with a game in hand in 18th place.

Match preview

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Indeed, Claude Puel's side missed a golden opportunity to move six points clear of Nantes in 17th by only drawing 1-1 at home against them on Wednesday.

Randal Kolo fired the visitors ahead in the first half before Mahdi Camara brought Puel's side level just before the hour mark in an entertaining, open encounter.

Ultimately, the two sides proved evenly matched, with a fairly equal spread of possession and shots on target.

Having beaten Nice in the previous match, Puel will be hoping his side can build an unbeaten run as they look to move further clear of relegation trouble.

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Metz, meanwhile, continue to astound with their positive results despite the absence of Ibrahima Niane, with Frederic Antonetti's side remaining unbeaten in their six matches since returning from the winter break.

Antonetti may have been disappointed not to beat Montpellier on Wednesday, though, having been leading via Pape Matar Sarr's strike until the 70th minute.

Ordinarily so difficult to break down, especially when holding onto a lead, Gaetan Laborde levelled proceedings with the game fizzling out for a 1-1 draw.

Any disappointment is unlikely to linger for long, though, with Metz currently occupying a Europa League qualification position in sixth place. Holding out for that until the end of the season would be a phenomenal achievement, especially with the loss of top goalscorer Niane early in the campaign.

Saint-Etienne Ligue 1 form: DLLLWD

Metz Ligue 1 form: DDWWWD

Team News

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St Etienne are likely to remain without Ryad Boudebouz, Alpha Sissoko and Panagiotis Retsos due to injury, while Gabriel Silva is unavailable due to COVID-19.

Yvann Macon is out for the season with a serious knee injury.

Metz have their own season-ending injuries in the shape of Niane and Manuel Cabit.

The visitors will also travel to Saint-Etienne without Vincent Pajot, Opa Nguette and Kevin N'Doram due to injury.

Saint-Etienne possible starting lineup: Moulin; Debuchy, Moukoudi, Cisse, Trauco; Bouanga, Camara, Neyou, Aouchiche; Nordin, Abi

Metz possible starting lineup: Oukidja; Bronn, Kouyate, Boye; Centonze, Maiga, Sarr, Delaine; Boulaya, Yade, Leya

We say: Saint-Etienne 1-1 Metz

Metz are one of the toughest sides in Ligue 1 to break down, but we can envisage a well-earned point for both sides on Sunday.

St Etienne have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks and should have enough about them to avoid defeat.