06 December 2021, 13:42 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
AS Monaco vs. FC Metz kicks off at 15:00 (GMT+1) on Sunday, December 5, at the Stade Louis II.
Preview Monaco Ligue 1, Dec 5, 2021
Preview Monaco picked up three points earlier in the week, on Wednesday, in the 3-1 win over SCO Angers. A deft flick from Kevin Volland set Myron Boadu (25’) up for the opener, five minutes short of the half-hour mark. A moment later, Monaco doubled their lead after Sofiane Diop (45’) hit the back of the net at the stroke of half-time. A huge stroke of luck saw Angers cut the deficit down to one, ten minutes after the break. An initial effort, after a mazy run from Azzedine Ounahi, rebounded off the goalkeeper, Alexander Nübel (55’ O.G.), before crossing the goal-line. However, Axel Disasi (73’) bagged Monaco’s third goal to wrap up the three points. Having returned to winning ways, LDDDW, Monaco jumped two steps higher on the Ligue 1 table, moving from 9th to 7th place. Niko Kovac’s side has 23 points from 6W, 5D, and 5L. Comparing numbers at both ends, Monaco shouldn’t have any problems putting bottom-placed FC Metz aside. Monaco has an average goal ratio of 1.44 g.p.g. this season, having scored 23 goals in 16 Ligue 1 games. At the other end, the club has conceded 20 goals and has a G.D. of +3. An average of 1.25 goals conceded per 90 minutes. Niko Kovac hopes to seize this opportunity to climb into the top six and close the gap on the top four. Sixth-placed Strasbourg (23 points) face OGC Nice in a difficult fixture on Sunday, while fifth-placed RC Lens (26 points) face PSG. Kovac could use the 4—4—2 formation, leaving Ben Yedder and Kevin Volland in attack.
Preview Metz Ligue 1, Dec 5, 2021
Preview In 19th place, FC Metz failed to pick up a point following the 3-1 defeat to Montpellier during the mid-week round of fixtures. Nicolas de Préville (70’) bagged Metz’s only goal in the defeat, which leaves the club with 12 points from 2W, 6D, and 8L. The club has a form that reads: DDDWL ahead of this fixture against Monaco. Despite a decent average of 1.12 goals scored per game, Les Grenats have a massive goal difference of -15, thanks to an unimpressive average of 2.06 goals conceded per match. Metz have only been able to hit the back of the net 18 times this season after 16 Ligue 1 games. At the other end, Metz have conceded 33 goals. Frédéric Antonetti is tipped to line up the 3—4—1—2 formation, leaving the duo consisting of Niane and Opa Nguette in attack. FC Metz are expected to be without as many as four key players for this game against Monaco.