Metz vs Bordeaux preview - Sagnol wary of Metz threat

Bordeaux coach Willy Sagnol has warned his side to beware of the threat posed by newly-promoted Metz ahead of their trip to the Stade Saint-Symphorien on Wednesday night.

Sagnol's side bounced back to form last Saturday with a 1-0 win over Lille which followed a difficult defeat in Marseille the previous week.

Bordeaux's general improvement has seen them win four of their last five Ligue 1 games and climb up to fourth place in the table.

Metz have struggled with inconsistency this season but Sagnol told his club's official website: "They made a very good start to the season and although they may not have done well for a few matches they are still a hard team to handle.

"Like all the teams that rise out of Ligue 2, they are accustomed to difficult games, and they have done well to reinforce with experienced players."

Sagnol does not anticipate any new injury concerns and has reintroduced former West Ham midfielder Julien Faubert to his travelling squad.

Albert Cartier's Metz are struggling to replicate their early season form and they go into the game with Bordeaux on the back of three straight losses which have seen them drop to 12th in the table.

Since their narrow win over Caen in early November they have suffered a heavy defeat at Toulouse, a narrow loss at home to title favourites Paris St Germain, and a disappointing reversal at struggling Lens last Sunday.