Saint Etienne – Metz

Saint‑Étienne enter the clash as clear leaders of the table, sitting top with 15 points after five wins, a perfect record marred only by a single loss and a 17‑6 goal difference. Their opponents, Metz, sit in fifth place with nine points, having remained unbeaten in five games but only managing two victories and three draws, and they boast a respectable 8‑4 goal margin. The home side will look to extend their dominance and widen the gap at the summit, while the visitors will aim to close the six‑point gap to the leaders and secure a vital win to keep pace with the top‑four. A tight contest is likely, given Metz’s unbeaten run, but Saint‑Étienne’s superior firepower should prove decisive.