Diabate should fire Metz to victory

Ligue 1
6pm Friday

Two Ligue 1 strugglers clash when Metz host Bastia at the Stade Saint-Symphorien and bookmakers expect the visitors to struggle in Moselle.

Metz are just 21-20 to pick up a much-needed three points and that is understandable as their Corsican opponents are in terrible form and in serious danger of losing their top-flight status.

Only rock-bottom Lorient have fewer points than Bastia this season and the Blues must snap an 11-match winless run soon if they are to avoid the drop.

The Bastia board acted at the end of last month when the club parted ways with manager Francois Ciccolini.

New man Rui Almeida offered immediate hope by leading them to consecutive home draws against Nantes and St-Etienne. But Bastia have fared best on their island home and suffered a 5-0 hammering away at Guingamp last weekend.

The manner of that defeat - the Blues rarely threatened - suggests that they could be in for another beating against Metz. The hosts are probably short enough, however, as they have struggled recently as well.

One man who hasn't struggled is giant Maroons forward Cheick Diabate.

The Malian striker has notched five goals from seven games since signing on loan from Osmanlispor in January.

The 28-year-old is proven in Ligue 1 - he notched 50 times in a six-year spell at Bordeaux - and could be the man to fire Metz to victory.

Recommendation
C Diabate first goalscorer
1pt each-way 9-2 bet365

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