Metz-Paris Saint Germain Statistical Preview

Team News Metz Kwame Nsor and Fadil Sido are the only noticeable missing players on Metz's side. Albert Cartier will finaly be able to call upon Gaëtan Bussmann and Romain Rocchi, with both players representing key elements in the squad. Metz should start in a 4-2-3-1 formation, before turning to a 4-5-1 system when defending against PSG's attacking threats. Paris Saint Germain Grégory Van der Wiel and Thiago Motta will return to the starting XI after serving their suspensions. Centre-back Marquinhos will start in the absence of David Luiz, who is sidelined with a viral syndrome. If Blaise Matuidi remains unfit to start, Adrien Rabiot will play his first competitive match of the season. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is expected to play from the off for the first time in two months, probably with the support of Ezequiel Lavezzi and Javier Pastore on the wings. Edinson Cavani should start from the bench, as the Uruguay international was unable to train with his teammates this week. Prediction Undefeated at home since their top-flight return, le FC Metz welcome the champions free of any pressure, sitting in a comfortable 9th place. By defeating l'OM 2-0 in the Classique before the international break, les Parisiens have reduced the gap with league leaders Marseille to a single point. They are now about to start a hectic period, with 9 games to play in the next 29 days, with the hope of retrieving most of their injured players for their Champions League outing against Ajax in midweek. The break has, indeed, been insufficient for several players to recover from their minor knocks. This is not going to be a walk in the park for PSG, who will inevitably suffer against a motivated FC Metz's side with nothing to lose considering their comfortable standing in the league. The Stade Saint-Symphorien will be packed to welcome the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, and they should witness a close game.