Metz v Auxerre: survival stakes for both in Ligue 1 | OneFootball

Metz host Auxerre in Ligue 1 on Sunday, 15 February 2026 at Stade Saint-Symphorien, with a point separating 18th and 16th in a live relegation fight.

Auxerre won the reverse fixture 3-1 in December, but both sides arrive short on momentum. Metz are bottom and in the relegation places, while Auxerre sit in the relegation play-off spot.

Metz halted a four-match losing run with a 0-0 draw against Lille last time out. Auxerre are on back-to-back goalless draws after three straight defeats, so goals have been scarce for the visitors in recent weeks.

Selection-wise, Metz are without suspended midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin, while Benjamin Stambouli is injured. Auxerre miss suspended forward Danny Namaso, with defender Francisco Sierralta among those sidelined.

The match-up could hinge on Metz's defensive leaks against Auxerre's low-output attack. Metz have conceded 46 league goals at 2.2 per game, while Auxerre have scored only 14 at 0.7 per game but kept five clean sheets. Metz's Gauthier Hein has six league goals and four assists this season, while Lassine Sinayoko leads Auxerre's scoring with six. Auxerre may also look to test the hosts in the area, with Metz having conceded seven penalties this season.

A Metz win would take them to 16 points and could pull them closer to the play-off place. Victory for Auxerre would move them to 17 points and could open a small gap to the bottom two in the survival battle.