Preview: Metz vs. Lorient - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors are without a win in their last 10 league games, while the hosts have lost their last six league games.

Match preview

Metz continued their poor run, losing 1-0 to Nice at the Allianz Rivera last time out, extending their losing streak to seven games in all competitions.

That poor domestic form has them flirting with relegation, ahead of Lyon on goal difference for a relegation playoff spot and only one above Clermont in the relegation zone, the side that knocked them out of the Coupe de France on penalties earlier this month (3-1).

Laszlo Boloni has seen a lot of hesitancy from his players in the attacking third throughout their first season back in Ligue 1, scoring the joint-second-fewest goals in the top flight so far (16).

The Maroons are back at home where they have won just one league game all season, making them the joint-worst side on home turf in this campaign.

However, they have not lost in their last six home encounters against Lorient across all competitions, which could serve as a confidence booster ahead of Sunday's fixture.

Meanwhile, Lorient remain rooted at the bottom of Ligue 1 despite an entertaining 3-3 draw against Le Havre last Sunday.

After falling behind to an Emmanuel Sabbi penalty in the 15th minute, Regis Le Bris's side turned the game around with goals from Imran Louza and Ayman Kari. However, Le Havre levelled the game in the 85th minute through Andre Ayew.

The drama continued into stoppage time when Lorient took the lead again via Mohamed Bamba in the 92nd minute. Unfortunately, Les Merlus relinquished the lead two minutes later as Ayew completed his brace.

Without a win in 10 Ligue 1 contests and 11 matches in all tournaments, Les Merlus have a mere 13 points from their opening 19 games, three points behind their 15th-placed opposition, who finished second behind Le Bris's men in Ligue 2 last term.

Lorient desperately need to address their leaky defence if they wish to escape the drop at the end of the season. They have conceded a staggering 41 goals in 19 league fixtures - eight more than any other side in Ligue 1 at this point, conceding 18 during their last six matches.

Metz Ligue 1 form:

L

L

L

L

L

L

Metz form (all competitions):

L

L

L

L

L

L

Lorient Ligue 1 form:

D

L

L

L

L

D

Lorient form (all competitions):

L

L

L

L

L

D

Team News

Metz will be without Lamine Camara and Ablie Jallow, who are yet to return from representing their countries at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Christophe Herelle is also unavailable after receiving a red card against Toulouse.

Georges Mikautadze should continue in attack, while Kevin N'Doram continues in the defensive midfield role.

The visitors have a number of key first-team players currently away on international duty, including Formose Mendy, Gedeon Kalulu, Bamba Dieng, Alfred Gomis and Darlin Yongwa.

On the injury front, Aiyegun Tosin (thigh), Benjamin Mendy (hamstring) and Quentin Boisgard (foot) are all sidelined until later this month.

Elie Kroupi is expected to continue in attack once again, receiving support from Ayman Kari and Julien Ponceau.

Metz possible starting lineup:

Oukidja; Colin, Traore, Cande, Udol; N'Doram; Kerkhof, N'Duquidi, Jacques, Sabaly; Mikautadze

Lorient possible starting lineup:

Mvogo; Mouyokolo, Pelon, Toure; Carioca, Owaga, Abergel, Le Bris; Ponceau, Kari, Kroupi

We say: Metz 1-1 Lorient

Lorient have struggled defensively while Metz have struggled to score goals. We see the game ending in a stalemate, with both sides canceling each other out.

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