Newly-promoted Metz have decided to start with a strike partnership of Yeni Ngbakoto and Juan Falcon as they welcome Bastia in Ligue 1 this evening.
The home side's front pair are to be suppored by a four-man midfield, which includes the creative Sergey Krivets and Florent Malouda, while captain Romain Metanire will marshall his side from defence.
The away side have settled on a more conservative formation, with a 4-5-1 seeing Gadji Tallo starting as a lone striker.
Bastia's forward will look for help from the likes of captain Yannick Cahuzac and Floyd Ayite, who are part of a midfield four.
Metz: Mfa; Milan, Choplin, Bussmann, Lejeune, Ngbakoto, Ndaw, Krivets, Falcon, Malouda, Metanire
Bastia: Areola; Squillaci, Romaric, Palmieri, Peybernes, Ayite, Cahuzac, Gillet, Ongenda, Tallo, Maboulou
Christopher Dodd
