Although their objectives differ in this second half of the season, both Paris and Metz will need points on Saturday evening. Les Grenats, who haven't won a league game since 9 November, will need to bounce back after their latest defeat to Auxerre (1-3). The Moselle club is currently bottom of the table and fighting for their Ligue 1 survival.
For their part, Paris Saint-Germain are also looking to bounce back, having tasted defeat in Rennes last week (3-1). The capital club, which bounced back with a 2-3 Champions League win away to Monaco in midweek, continue their quest to regain top spot on the league table. Luis Enrique's men are just one point behind leaders Lens and six ahead of third-placed Lyon.
4 – Across Europe's top five leagues, Paris Saint-Germain have the best defence at home this season, with only four goals conceded at the Parc des Princes in Ligue 1.
15 – Paris have won their last 15 Ligue 1 matches against Metz, the second-longest winning streak by any team against a single opponent in the top flight, behind only Paris's current run against Angers (17).
39 – Les Rouge et Bleu have not lost any of their last 39 home games against a newly promoted team in the top flight (35 wins, four draws).
In goal, Benoît Tavenot is once again likely to call on the imposing Jonathan Fischer (1.98m). In front of the Danish shot-stopper, Gabonese international Michel Mboula and Sadibou Sané have been the Metz coaching staff's preferred choices in recent weeks, but the return of former Everton player Jean-Philippe Gbamin and the presence of Ghanaian international Terry Yegbe could reshuffle the deck in central defence.
Concerning the full-backs, however, there is less suspense: Koffi Kouao has been one of the few bright spots of Les Grenats' season so far, and he should be preferred to Maxime Colin and Bouna Sarr, who is still lacking rhythm, on the right flank. On the other side, former Milan player Fodé Ballo-Touré, who came up at Paris Saint-Germain, is expected to start at the Parc. In midfield, Boubacar Traoré is set to make his return, which bodes well for Metz in the absence of Benjamin Stambouli.
Former Strasbourg player Jessy Deminguet is expected to start alongside the Malian international and provide a link with Les Grenats' attack, while Alpha Touré could be preferred to the very young Believe Munongo (16) to complete the midfield. Gauthier Hein (six goals and four assists in Ligue 1 this season) is therefore expected to take his place on the right wing, and the indispensable FCM captain could be accompanied on the left flank by Giorgi Tsitaishvili, who is capable of playing on either flank.
If this option is confirmed, then his Georgian international teammate Giorgi Abuashvili and Lucas Michal will start on the bench, ready to come on during the game. Finally, up front, the experienced Habib Diallo (four goals, two assists) is certain to start. Preferred to Giorgi Kvilitaia, the two-time African champion with Senegal will be one of the dangers for the Parisians to watch out for.
