Metz vs Auxerre – News and Probable Lineups

On Sunday afternoon, Metz hosts Auxerre at the Stade Saint-Symphorien in their next Ligue 1 fixture.

Les Grenats played to a scoreless draw with Lille in their most recent league outing, while Les Bleus et Blancs mirrored that result against Paris FC at the Stade I’Abbe-Deschamps.

Match overview

While there is still a significant portion of the season remaining, it appears that Metz may be on track for a rapid return to Ligue 2.

After achieving three consecutive league victories at the start of November, which stand as their only Ligue 1 wins this season, Les Grenats have struggled significantly and are likely headed for a relegation playoff at best when the season concludes.

Currently occupying the bottom position in the Ligue 1 standings, Metz has only accumulated 13 points across 21 matches and has not won in their last nine league fixtures, suffering defeats in seven of those.

Their most significant issue has undoubtedly been their porous defense, with Benoit Tavenot’s team conceding a staggering 46 goals in Ligue 1, eight more than any other team in the league.

With just nine points picked up, Les Grenats have also been quite disappointing at the Stade Saint-Symphorien in Ligue 1, with Nantes being the only team in the league with a worse home record.

On Sunday afternoon, Metz will certainly aim to improve this record, although they have failed to secure a win in any of the last six times they have welcomed Auxerre.

Unless there is a significant turnaround in form, Auxerre appears likely to remain in the bottom three of Ligue 1 as the season progresses towards May 16.

Despite achieving back-to-back clean sheets in their last two league matches, AJA is currently in 16th place with only 14 points this season.

Christophe Pelissier’s squad has primarily struggled within Ligue 1 this season, primarily due to a poor performance away from home, having earned just three points on the road and still searching for their first away win.

With only 14 goals scored—four fewer than any other team in the division—Les Bleus et Blancs have also faced significant difficulties in attack, finding the net multiple times in a single match just twice this season.

Nonetheless, Auxerre has somewhat compensated for this with a solid defensive record, conceding only 29 Ligue 1 goals this season, a figure that only seven other clubs in the league can better.

AJA also holds a strong recent record against Metz, winning their last three encounters and remaining unbeaten in their last nine, conceding just three times during that stretch.

Team News

Following a red card received against Angers earlier this month, Metz will have to do without Ivorian midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin as he continues to serve his suspension.

Benjamin Stambouli was substituted in the second half against Lille due to a fractured rib, which will keep him sidelined for the foreseeable future, while Boubacar Traore is out with a knee issue.

Joseph Mangondo, Pape Sy, Ismael Guerti, and Yannis Lawson are also unavailable for the home side.

Auxerre will be missing Moroccan midfielder Oussama El Azzouzi for at least another week as he recovers from a medical collateral ligament sprain.

Francisco Sierralta is sidelined with an adductor injury, while it remains uncertain if 21-year-old Telli Siwe will be included in the matchday squad due to ongoing knee problems.

Although the defense has looked solid recently, it is unlikely that Pelissier will alter his backline, but after failing to score in five consecutive matches, a change in Auxerre’s attacking lineup might be necessary.

Metz probable starting XI:

Fischer; Kouao, Sane, Mboula, Ballo-Toure; Deminguet, Munongo, Toure; Michal, Diallo, Tsitaishvili

Auxerre probable starting XI:

Lion; Sy, Demand, Acpa, Message; Owusu, Ahmada, Danish; Coulibaly, Namaso, Sinayoko

It is challenging to advocate for either team to achieve victory in this match, but Auxerre’s defensive strength might lead them to success.

While Les Bleus et Blancs have not been formidable in attack, Metz’s defense has leaked goals, and after triumphing 3-1 against them earlier in the season, Auxerre could feel optimistic about adding to the misery of their hosts this Sunday.