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

Metz take on Angers in Ligue 1 on Wednesday, with the hosts looking to stay in fifth position in the table after back-to-back victories.

Angers, meanwhile, have failed to win any of their last five games, and are clinging onto a top-half place as a result.

Match preview

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Metz continue to perform above expectations under Frederic Antonetti, beating Bordeaux 2-1 away from home last weekend to move up to fifth in the table.

Antonetti's side showed brilliant resolve to bounce back after Samuel Kalu's scuffed effort fired the hosts into a lead after only 14 minutes, with that representing Bordeaux's only shot on target across the 90 minutes.

Metz were deserved winners in the end, with Thomas Delaine finally levelling the proceedings by cutting inside from the left flank and firing into the far corner after his side had missed several chances. With time running out, Vagner Goncalves sealed a huge three points for Metz by tapping into an empty net after very unselfish play from substitute Thierry Ambrose.

With Angers one of five teams within five points of Metz, Wednesday's match represents a huge opportunity for Antonetti's side to establish themselves as genuine leaders of the Europa League qualification spot contenders behind the runaway top four sides in the league.

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Angers' winless run looked to be coming to an end having taken a two-goal lead against Lens on Sunday, but Stephane Moulin's side were pegged back to disappointingly draw 2-2.

Lois Diony had fired the hosts into a fifth-minute lead after being too easily allowed to race into Lens' penalty area and stab the ball home, before Gael Kakuta's unfortunate slip tripped an opponent up, with Thomas Mangani duly obliging from the spot.

Jonathan Clauss struck back 12 minutes later by firing across goal, but Angers managed to keep their opponents at arm's length for the majority of the game thereafter, making Arnaud Kalimuendo's 92nd minute equaliser all the more disappointing.

However, a top-half position would still represent a successful season for Moulin's side, with a win at Metz on Wednesday potentially taking them to within two points of a Europa League qualification spot.

Metz Ligue 1 form: WDLLWW
Metz form (all competitions): DLWLWW

Angers Ligue 1 form: WDLLDD
Angers form (all competitions): DLWLDD

Team News

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Metz will be without Ernest Boahene, Opa Nguette, Ibrahima Niane, Kevin N'Doram and Manuel Cabit due to injury.

Delaine will be hoping to keep his place in the first XI after his superb equaliser against Bordeaux.

Angers, meanwhile, will travel to Metz without Mohamed Ali Cho, Sada Thioub, Jimmy Cabot, Rachid Alioui and Enzo Ebosse due to injury.

Top goalscorer Stephane Bahoken returned from injury from the substitutes' bench against Lens, but may be eased into things for the time being.

Metz possible starting lineup:
Oukidja; Bronn, Kouyate, Boye; Centonze, Angban, Sarr, Delaine; Boulaya; Gueye, Iseka

Angers possible starting lineup:
Bernardoni; Bamba, Traore, Thomas, Doumbia; Coulibaly, Mangani; Capelle, Fulgini, Boufal; Diony

We say: Metz 2-1 Angers

We expect Metz to narrowly gain a win here, with the hosts playing the better football of the two sides at present.

Angers were perhaps unfortunate not to beat Lens on Sunday, but Metz are likely to pose a much bigger obstacle to ending their winless run.