France Ligue 1 playoff first leg and a trip to Loire region as St Etienne host Metz.
St Etienne ended the season in 3rd place in Ligue 2 with 65 points from 38 games. They won a one game playoff over 4th place Rodez 2-0 to get here. Overall form was 20 wins, 8 draws and 11 losses. Home form of 11 wins, 4 draws and 5 losses. Recent form is 4 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats. Metz ended Ligue 1 in 16th place with 29 points, avoiding direct relegation on goal difference over Lorient. Overall form was 8 wins, 5 draws and 21 losses. Away form of 5 wins, 2 draws and 10 defeats.
Team news: Home side have no new injury worries. MF Thomas Monconduit is available for them. Visitors will miss Tetteh, Asoro and Jallow.
Head-to-head statistics: 20 games – 9 wins St Etienne, 5 draws and 6 wins Metz.
Betting selection – Two legged tie and I see both home wins. To be a bit more cautious we will take St Etienne 0.0/-0.5 at 1.83 or 5-6 Bet365 – we get half stakes returned if a draw.