Monaco vs Metz prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-10-21 15:05.
Monaco were briefly dethroned from Ligue 1’s top spot by Nice, but their 3-1 success against Reims later on the same day saw them reclaim first position going into the international break. Monaco have now accumulated their most points after eight rounds (17 – W5, D2, L1) since winning 19 at this stage in 2017/18. They achieved their last top-two finish that season, so locals will hope a real title challenge can be sustained this year.
This is a real chance to strengthen those ambitions against a Metz side who are out-of-form and often easy work for the home side. Monaco have won each of the last five H2Hs across all competitions and conceded just a single goal in the process, while the last two Ligue 1 H2H meetings here saw Monaco win by the exact same 4-0 scoreline. A minimum of three goals scored in three of their last four home games this season suggests a repeat could be more than possible.
That’s especially true as Metz come into this low on confidence on the back of three straight league losses, each without scoring a single goal. That puts a spotlight on the recently promoted side’s attacking issues this season, with only two Ligue 1 sides coming into the round having scored fewer league goals (seven) or attempting fewer shots on target (26).
That cause hasn’t been helped by losing leading marksman Georges Mikautadze to Ajax, but László Bölöni’s men could take some comfort from the fact they’re still two points better off than they were after eight games (W2, D2 L4) in their last Ligue 1 campaign in 2021/22, a season they eventually finished five points from safety. That reiterates the need for improvements, although they’ve at least claimed both of their wins this season on the road, albeit they were against sides that also started this round inside the bottom-five.
Key battle: Monaco’s Wissam Ben Yedder ended a four-game goalscoring drought in the win against Reims, adding to his impressive tally of four Ligue 1 goals from the opening three rounds. Aiming to keep him out will be Metz goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja who had made the joint-most Ligue 1 saves coming into this gameweek (36).
Hot stat: Monaco have scored more headed goals than any other side coming into the round (five).