Metz vs PSG: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction
By Tom Gott
Paris Saint-Germain will hope for some much-needed calm when they travel to face Metz in Ligue 1 on Wednesday.
Mauricio Pochettino and Lionel Messi combined to create a media frenzy in the 2-1 win over Lyon, with the boss' decision to substitute Messi almost as fascinating as the latter's choice to reject a handshake.
There shouldn't be much drama about this one. Metz sit bottom of Ligue 1 and are still chasing their first win six games in, whereas PSG have tasted nothing but victory thus far.
Here's all you need to know about this one.
How to watch Metz vs PSG on TV/live stream
What time is kick off? Wednesday 22 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is it being played? Stade Saint-Symphorien
TV channel? BT Sport 2 (UK), beIN SPORTS/fubo TV (US)
Highlights? BT Sport YouTube, Ligue 1 Uber Eats YouTube
Referee? TBC
Metz team news
There are hopes that Sofiane Alakouch and Matthieu Udol will be healthy enough to play some part here, but Thomas Delaine is facing a race against time to make it back from a foot injury and Kevin N'Doram is not going to be seen until October while he recovers from a broken collarbone.
There will be plenty of eyes on new Tottenham signing Pape Sarr, who has been playing in a more advanced role recently but could drop deeper to help his side withstand PSG's onslaught.
PSG team news
Messi has a bruised bone in his knee and will be rested for this one, and this game will also come too soon for midfielder Marco Verratti, who began running again on Tuesday but still has a lot of work to do before being fit enough to return.
Sergio Ramos, Ismael Gharbi, Juan Bernat, Colin Dagba and Layvin Kurzawa are all expected to miss out as well, and Pochettino may use this as a chance to rest Kylian Mbappe, who has been playing with an ankle issue.
Metz vs PSG predicted lineups
Metz: Oukidja; Kouyate, Bronn, Udol; Centonze, Maiga, Sarr, Yade; Gueye, Boulaya; Niane.
PSG: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Diallo; Paredes, Herrera, Wijnaldum; Di Maria, Icardi, Neymar.
Metz vs PSG head-to-head record
PSG tended to have the edge over Metz even before the money came rolling in, and unsurprisingly, they have been completely dominant ever since.
Since Metz's return to the top flight in 2014, PSG have won ten on the bounce with a combined scoreline of 30-7, so it's safe to say that the Parisians might be the favourites for this one.
Metz's last win in this fixture came in May 2006, when they snatched a surprise 1-0 win over a second-string PSG side that had rested star attractions Pauleta, Mario Yepes and Bonaventure Kalou.
Metz vs PSG score prediction
There are no prizes for predicting a PSG win here. It's all about just how many goals Pochettino's men are going to score.
PSG might not use all their stars, but with a forward line that will likely feature Neymar, Mauro Icardi and Angel Di Maria, they could easily put five or six past this struggling Metz side, who have conceded more than two goals per game on average already this season.
Pochettino will demand a big win, and anything but would be the surprise of the century.
Prediction: Metz 0-5 PSG