The Metz vs Marseille match will be played on Friday, February 3rd, 2017 at Saint-Symphorien in Metz. This is matchday 23 in the 2016/17 Ligue 1 season. Metz are 17th with 23 points while Marseille are 6th with 33 points.

STATS

• Marseille has been winning HT/FT in their last 3 matches against Metz.
• Metz has failed to score in 3 of their last 5 games.
• There have been
• Marseille’s last 6 matches have all seen >2.5 goals.

HEAD TO HEAD

The two sides met in Marseille on October 16th, 2016 when the home side 1-0 thanks to Bafetimbi Gomes 16th minute goal.
Marseille has won 5 of the last 6 meetings between the two sides, and 4 of the last 6 in Metz.

Head to head matches: FC Metz - Olympique Marseille

16.10.2016

Ligu

Olympique Marseille

FC Metz

1:0

METZ NEWS

Metz allowed Angiers to leapfrog them in the table with last weekend’s 1-2 defeat. The consequences of that are felt this week with Renaud Cohade and Fallou Diagne both suspended following their red cards in that fixture.

Also missing are the injured Mollet and Udol while Jouffre and Thill are also doubtful. Georges Mandjeck is with Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations.

It’s not all bad news though. Milan Bisevac is available again after serving a 5 match ban for violent conduct while Cheick Doukouré and Ismaila Sarr have returned from the Africa Cup of Nations, and are expected to return to the squad for this fixture.

Metz have a tough set of fixtures in the six weeks. They face PSG, Monaco and Lyon as well as other teams on the fringes of the European places. This is a match they need to take points from to stave off being pulled into the bottom 3.

Latest matches: FC Metz

28.01.2017	Ligu	SCO Angers	FC Metz	2:1	L
21.01.2017	Ligu	FC Metz	Montpellier HSC	2:0	W
15.01.2017	Ligu	OGC Nice	FC Metz	0:0	D
11.01.2017	Coup	Paris St Germain	FC Metz	2:0	L
08.01.2017	Coup	RC Lens	FC Metz	2:0	L

MARSEILLE NEWS

Marseille’s record in the transfer market is proving suspect. After signing the unfortunate Abou Diaby from Arsenal, Patrice Evra keeps him company in the treatment room after picking up a hamstring injury in the 2-1 midweek cup win over Lyon. Most likely, Doria will take his place at left-back.

Dimitri Payet hopes for better fortune in why should be full debut for L’OM on his return to the south of France. Remy Cabella is expected to make way for him after the Lyon tie went into extra time.

Another new boy, Gregory Sertic, formerly of Bordeaux may also make his debut as Rudi Garcia rotates his squad. None of last weekend’s absentees return, so Diaby and Evra are joined on the sidelines by Diarra, Hubocan and probably, Bedimo. Clinton N’Jie is in the Cameroon squad at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Marseille thrashed Montpellier 5-1 last weekend with Thauvin, Cabella and Gomis all earning praise for their performances. It helped turn their goal difference from -2 to +2 and bring them closer to St Etienne, who are 5th.

Beating Lyon in midweek made it 2 wins in 2 games for Marseille, following two heavy defeats since returning from the winter break. L’OM need to win this match as they face Guingamp and Rennes in their next two Ligue Un games. Both sides are within 3 points of them in the table.

Latest matches: Olympique Marseille

31.01.2017	Coup	Olympique Marseille	Olympique Lyon	2:1	W
27.01.2017	Ligu	Olympique Marseille	Montpellier HSC	5:1	W
22.01.2017	Ligu	Olympique Lyon	Olympique Marseille	3:1	L
15.01.2017	Ligu	Olympique Marseille	AS Monaco	1:4	L
08.01.2017	Coup	Toulouse FC	Olympique Marseille	1:2	W

SUMMING UP!

Marseille are clear favourites for this match, with history and form on their side. Back-to-back wins over Montpellier and Lyon gave them a boost, as did finally signing Dimitri Payet from West Ham.

The prodigal son returns with great expectations on his shoulders.

Metz had gone into last weekend’s clash with Angiers in good heart having taken a point from Nice and beaten Montpellier. All that good was undone by a lack of discipline and the two red cards suffered will hurt this week with Cohade and Diagne missing.

There is never much between the two sides when they meet in Metz but the last two results edge this into Marseille’s favour.