Monaco – Metz: Preview and Highest Odds

Veteran midfielder Cesc Fabregas has had to wait patiently for a start in Kovac’s team since the turn of the year, but he may finally be granted it this weekend as Tchouameni is suspended for an accumulation of bookings. Goalscoring defender Guillermo Maripan – who has struck five times in the league this season – missed out against Saint-Etienne due to stomach problems but should be fine for this game, although Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile will not want to be broken up after their recent clean sheet. Jovetic’s name in the first XI raised a few eyebrows, and he missed a penalty before drawing first blood only a minute later in their 4-0 win over Les Verts, but 13-goal Wissam Ben Yedder will hope to link up with his regular strike partner Kevin Volland this weekend. Metz goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja will serve the fourth and final game of his ban this weekend, so Marc-Aurele Caillard will have one last opportunity to prove his worth in between the sticks. Vincent Pajot lasted the full 90 minutes against Rennes but has since exacerbated an Achilles problem, with Victorien Angban therefore likely to earn a recall in the engine room. Ibrahima Niane – still their top scorer this season with six goals – is progressing well after an ACL rupture and should return to training later this month, but Opa Nguette and Warren Tchimbembe remain out.