Strasbourg vs Metz Prediction & Betting Tips (18 January)

Strasbourg begins the return phase of the Championship at the gates of the top 6 and with a new coach. Liam Rosenior left the club after the 1-1 draw at Nice at the start of the year, Gary O'Neil succeeded him and did not miss his first on the bench, in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France against Avranches N2; 0-6 victory. Although he has not lost any of his last 6 matches in all competitions, we must however go back to November 9, against Lille 2-0, to find any trace of Racing's last victory in Ligue 1. Since then, he has had a string of 3 defeats and 2 draws. FC Metz still have 17 games to avoid relegation to Ligue 2 less than a year after being promoted to the top flight.

Red lantern, the worst defense in the Championship, 38 goals conceded in 17 days, puts a 4-point outlay on the first non-relegation team. It ended a series of 4 defeats in the exercise by neutralizing Lorient at the start of the year 1-1 before immediately falling back into its faults. Crushed by Montpellier L2; 0-4 at home, the Grenats left the Coupe de France through the back door. 

The new Strasbourg coach notes the withdrawals of the important scorer Emegha (4 goals, 2 assists in L1), the replacements Omobamidele (defender) and Amougou (midfielder) and the long-term absentees Oyedele and Sow. In addition, defensive rock Sarr remains involved in the CAN with Senegal and senior defender Guéla Doué, who has just returned from selection, should not be summoned. Panichelli (10 goals in L1) regained confidence at the start of the year after two months without scoring. The Argentinian shook the nets in Nice and joined the party in the Coupe de France. Unused defender Sobol has just left Strasbourg on the transfer market. The Messins lost their young striker Madjo (5 L1 matches), transferred to Aston Villa, and are also negotiating the derby without Diallo (3 goals) and Sabaly (2 assists), involved in the CAN with Senegal.

Mangondo (no match) and Sy (replacement goalkeeper) remain absent for the duration while executive full-back Kouao is serving a one-match suspension. Finally, the midfielder Traoré and the versatile Touré (lateral or midfielder) are in doubt. Decisive over the last 3 days, Hein is the greatest danger for the Strasbourg defense. The playmaker has 5 goals and 4 assists in the Championship.