Match Preview
Paris Saint-Germain will look to, at least temporarily, move back to the top of the Ligue 1 table by piling more misery on bottom club Metz.
The defending champions are a point behind surprise leaders Lens, but will expected to put the pressure on Pierre Sage’s men by moving back to their familiar position at the summit of French football with an emphatic win at the Stade Saint-Symphorien.
Luis Enrique’s men were held to a 0-0 draw by Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League, but with that game following a 5-0 demolition of Rennes at the Parc des Princes, PSG will likely have little problem rediscovering their scoring touch against a Metz side beaten 3-1 by fellow strugglers Auxerre last time out.
This weekend marks the final round of fixtures in Ligue 1 before the winter break, though PSG still have something of a busy schedule ahead of them, as they will play for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup title next Wednesday before starting their Coupe de France campaign a week on Saturday with a match against fifth-tier side Vendée Fontenay Foot.
While they will be heavy favourites for that clash and the preceding encounter in Saudi Arabia with either Flamengo or Egyptian side Pyramids, the prospect of three games in seven games will likely mean some rotation from Luis Enrique as he manages a squad already dealing with several injuries.
Still, the priority will be ensuring they do not suffer a slip-up that leaves them playing catch-up in a surprisingly competitive title race after the mid-season interval, and there is slim hope for Metz of facing a PSG team distracted by their upcoming opportunity to win yet more silverware.
Team news for Metz v PSG
PSG are likely to once again be without several first-team players.
It remains to be seen whether Ousmane Dembele will return after missing the draw with Athletic due to illness.
Achraf Hakimi is sidelined with a hamstring strain, while Nuno Mendes is dealing with a thigh problem and Lucas Beraldo has a thigh issue. Goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier’s ankle injury should see him miss out once again.