Monaco welcome Metz to the Stade Louis II for a French Ligue 1 clash on Sunday. The hosts are aiming to maintain their strong start to the season, while the visitors are still seeking their first win of the campaign.
Monaco have looked bright at the start of the season, winning three of their opening four Ligue 1 matches. They appear to be the early challengers to PSG and are currently just two points behind the champions.
Adi Hutter's men claimed a 2-1 victory at Auxerre in their previous Ligue 1 fixture, with George Ilenikhena netting the winner. However, they will head into Sunday's clash off the back of a 4-1 defeat at Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League.
Metz, meanwhile, are struggling to get any traction this season, having lost three of their four matches. They are currently riding the foot of the table but will come into this clash off the back of a 1-1 home draw with Angers.
One of the issues plaguing Metz this season is a poor record on their travels. Stephane Le Mignan's men are struggling to cope with the quality in the top flight and have lost their last two away matches.
How the bookies view it: Bookies backing Monaco
Monaco have been installed as overwhelming favourites, with a home win priced at 1/4 by BoyleSports. An unlikely victory for Metz is valued at 15/2 while a draw is set at odds of 5/1.
Head to head: Monaco hold the edge
Monaco have a 19-4 advantage, with three draws from 26 previous matches against Metz. The last meeting between both teams was in 2024, with the hosts claiming a 5-2 away victory.
Players to watch: Akliouche to deliver
Maghnes Akliouche has two league goals this season and often shoulders much of the attacking threat for Monaco. The forward could be worth keeping an eye on (Akliouche to score anytime – priced at 15/8 with BoyleSports).
Gauthier Hein scored 12 goals for Metz last season and will be desperate to get off the mark this term. The forward often looks lively in attack and will be the one to watch for the visitors (Gauthier Hein anything goalscorer – offered at 5/1).
Probable line-ups:
Monaco will be without goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, Aleksandr Golovin and Denis Zakaria due to injuries, while Paul Pogba remains sidelined. However, Vanderson, Lamine Camara, Eric Dier, Akliouche, Takumi Minamino and Folarin Balogun are expected to start the game.
For Metz, the duo of Malick Mbaye and Urie-Michel Mboula will miss out with injury, while Defender Sadibou Sane is suspended. However, Hein Boubacar Traore, Hein, Giorgi Tsitaishvili and Habib Diallo are all set to feature.
Monaco: Kohn, Vanderson, Dier, Mawissa, Henrique, Camara, Bamba, Akliouche, Minamino,
Metz: Fischer, Kouao, Gbamin, Yegbe, Toure, Stambouli, Traore, Tsitaishvili, Hein, Abuashvili, Diallo
Anything else catch the eye?
Monaco have scored in both halves in three of their four Ligue 1 matches (Monaco to score in both halves – available at 8/11 with BoyleSports). Three of their last five matches in all competitions have also produced over 3.5 goals – offered at 20/21.
Monaco have won and conceded in three of their four matches this season (Monaco win & BTTS YES – priced at 6/4).
GambleAware