Nice x Metz – Palpite & Prognóstico (27.11.2021)

After defeating Clermont 2-1 on the road over the weekend, Nice will look to maintain their second place in the standings when they host Metz at their Allianz Rivieira in Round 15. The Aiglons are eyeing their ninth win of the season, and are likely to fight tooth and nail against Metz. Defender Dante returns from suspension, while all of Youcef Atal, Hichem Boudaoui, Evann Guessand and Robson Bambu are expected to sit out with injuries.

The Grenats, on the other hand, are stuck at the bottom of the table, with the team accumulating only nine points in total in the process. The rock-bottom side have failed to win their previous six league matches, and are unlikely to spoil Nice’s party at the Allianz Riviera. Farid Boulaya serves a one-game ban, while all of Habib Maiga, Matthieu Udol, and Manuel Cabit are out of contention due to injury.

PLAYER IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Kasper Dolberg

At 6ft 2 inches, the tall forward began his youth career with GFG Voel in Denmark in 2005 and spent five years with them before joining hometown club Silkeborg IF at age 13. At Silkeborg, Dolberg quickly rose through the ranks and made his professional debut on May 17, 2015, as a 66th substitute against Brondby in the Danish Super League.

At the start of the 16/17 season, Dolberg signed for AFC Ajax of the Eredivisie on a three-year contract after impressing the clubs renowned scouting network. He scored his first professional goal on July 26, 2016, in Ajax’s 1-1 draw with PAOK Thessaloniki in a UEFA Champions League qualifier. In what was a prolific spell in Godenzonen’s, Dolberg made 119 appearances and scored 45 goals for the club. Born on October 6, 1997, the 22-year-old is currently on a five-year contract with French club Nice that August 2019.

Dolberg is also a former Denmark player, having represented his country at all youth levels. For the senior team, the striker made his debut on November 11, 2016, and has made 13 senior appearances to date.

STANDOUT TEAM

Metz

Thanks to the merger of two amateur clubs, Metz were founded in 1932 and soon became a professional team. The Grenats are one of the oldest professional teams in France, but have yet to win the Ligue 1 trophy. Metz finished the 1997/1998 season second in the standings and it should be noted that they were tied on points with champions Lens (worst goal difference).

However, the Grenats did win the Coupe de France on two occasions (1983/1984, 1987/1988), with the team defeating Monaco and Sochaux respectively in the title games. Emmanuel Adebayor is considered one of the most famous players to prostitute the Metz shirt and you should know that the Togolese striker has scored 15 goals in 44 league games for the club.

Metz play their home games at the Stade Saint-Symphorien, the venue that was opened in September 1923. The Grenats wear red shirts and white shorts when playing at home, while the color of their away kits is white.