Metz vs Marseille Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 French Ligue 1
THE FACTS
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When is Metz vs Marseille on and what time does it start? Metz vs Marseille will take place on Friday 18th August, 2023 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Metz vs Marseille? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Metz vs Marseille on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Ligue 1 matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Metz vs Marseille
Where can I stream Metz vs Marseille in the UK? If Metz vs Marseille is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
METZ
Following on from their promotion to the top-flight last season, Metz have been relatively quiet in the summer transfer window and they are one of the sides expected to struggle towards the bottom end of what should be a very competitive Ligue 1 table, especially given it has now been reduced from 20 to 18 teams.
They began the 2023/24 Ligue 1 campaign with a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of what appears to be a very impressive and improved Stade Rennais side last weekend. Arnaud Kalimuendo opened the scoring after 20 minutes but Metz did soon equalise through Youssef Maziz but Rennes controlled and dominated the game, going 3-1 up via second-half goals from Amine Gouiri and Jeremy Doku before a late brace by Ibrahim Salah sealed the demolition.
MARSEILLE
Olympique de Marseille have enjoyed another ambitious summer transfer window with several very interesting additions to a squad that flirted with the idea of challenging Paris Saint-Germain at the top-of-the-table but failed to maintain the consistency for a serious and sustained title race. After the departure of Igor Tudor earlier this summer, Marcelino will be expecting to lead a L’OM side that finish in the top three at the bare minimum.
They come into this on the back of a long, old slog in midweek having been taken to extra-time and penalties by Panathinaikos, eventually losing on penalties to the Greeks in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. That followed a hard-fought come from behind win at home to Stade Reims last weekend and now Marcelino must prepare his side for another couple of midweek matches in the UEFA Europa League playoffs.
THE TEAM NEWS
METZ
In that 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Rennes, Metz played a 4-2-3-1 system Laszlo Boloni’s preferred system throughout his career has been that. The Romanian is expected to keep it that way and, with no injuries and suspensions, could well simply stick with the team that got hammered and hope things change at home this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Oukidja; Colin, Traore, Cande, Kouao; Jacques, N’Doram; Sabaly, Camara, Maziz; Mikautadze
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
MARSEILLE
Marcelino has a trickier decisión tan Boloni this weekend. He will stick with his preferred and very modern Spanish approach of 4-4-2 but it will be interesting to see how he goes up-front. Vitinho was rested in midweek after scoring last week and his replacement, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, notched a brace. Iliman Ndiaye is almost certain to start so it could be a case of Aubameyang being rested once again and Matteo Guendouzi remaining left on the bench.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Lopez; Clauss, Gigot, Mbemba, Lodi; Sarr, Rongier, Kondogbia, Ounahi; Vitinho, Ndiaye
UNAVAILABLE: Gueye (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
That 5-1 defeat on the opening day may well be a good example and indicative of what is to come from Metz. Last season, in finishing second in Ligue 2, they scored 61 goals, which was the second most in the division, but also let in 33 goals in the second-tier. Marseille are unlikely to be quite as fun and entertaining as they have been under both Jorge Sampaoli and Igor Tudor with Marcelino being a bit more pragmatic but the sheer quality of their attacking personnel means they will remain good to watch. This could be quite an entertaining encounter for the neutral on Friday evening.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
