Metz vs Nantes: a relegation scrap at Stade Saint-Symphorien 
Metz, bottom of the table, meet their direct rivals Nantes in a seriously grim atmosphere. For both sides, the stakes couldn’t be higher: survive, or get dragged under for good.
A never-ending nightmare for Metz 
In Moselle, there’s been little to celebrate for weeks. Metz haven’t won in 15 straight league games, with their last victory back in November. At the back, they’ve been leaking goals all season — 60 conceded already, the worst record in the division. The Maroons need a completely different attitude.
Before the international break, Metz at least stemmed the bleeding with a goalless draw against Rennes. But against Nantes, Benoit Tavenot’s side have no margin left. Unbeaten at home against the Canaries in seven meetings, Metz have to go for it, take the game to them and start scoring, or risk another collapse in front of their own fans.
Vahid to the rescue for Nantes 
Nantes are in trouble too. Alarm bells are ringing loud and clear, and the club have turned back to the old warhorse Vahid Halilhodzic to try to drag them away from the drop zone, with 17 defeats on the board. But on his return, the Bosnian coach didn’t get the response he wanted. Nantes were beaten at home by Strasbourg, 3-2, even after leading twice.
They can’t hold onto a result. They know it. So in Lorraine they’ll have to dig in, absorb the pressure and hope for one sharp counterpunch to nick the points. Winning at Metz is close to a miracle for Nantes — they haven’t done it since September 2011. The plan is simple: shut the gaps, stay alive at the back and look for one killer break to pull off a smash-and-grab.
Likely line-ups
Metz : Sy ; Kouao, Sane, Yegbe, Colin ; Gbamin, Deminguet ; Sarr, Hein, Tsitaishvili ; Mbala
Nantes : Lopes ; Centonze, Awaziem, Tati, Cozza ; Tabibou, Kaba, Sissoko, Lepenant, Abline ; Ganago
Football prediction Metz vs Nantes
Nantes or draw
This is a brutal survival fight, and Metz will be feeling the heat from their own crowd. Their usual defensive wobble could easily come back to haunt them.
Nantes haven’t exactly travelled well this season, but the jolt that comes with a managerial change might just give them enough for 90 minutes. Against a Metz side who seem to panic at the first breeze near their box, Nantes are more than capable of taking at least a point. If the hosts crack under the pressure, Nantes could even take the lot.
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