Marseille vs Metz prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-02-08 20:00.
Without a win in four Ligue 1 games (D3, L1), Marseille have fallen behind in the race for the Champions League places. Now six points adrift of the top four, Marseille need to start picking up points quickly before they get cut adrift, which perhaps makes the visit of the only side in Ligue 1 to have lost their last five games, Metz, a timely one.
Thatâs not to say the hosts should be taking anything for granted though, not least because five of the last six H2Hs have ended level. Marseilleâs sole win in that period eerily came almost exactly two years ago to the day of this game, and as one of just two remaining unbeaten Ligue 1 sides on home turf this season (W6, D4), theyâll hope their H2H fortunes take a turn for the better here.
While Marseille have done their best work at home, Metz won a league-high 62% of their points this season on the road. Thatâs not to say theyâll be travelling with much confidence, as on the back of eight successive defeats in all competitions, their 2-1 loss against Lorient last weekend sparked angry scenes at the end of the game, with Metz fans protesting against the state of the club.
Such form and fan unrest poses the question of how much more time boss LĂĄszlĂł Bölöni is given to turn around their fortunes, with their seven-match losing run in their league their worst such run in the top-flight since 1950! Worryingly, five of those defeats came âto nilâ, which certainly wonât give them any belief they can end their near 20 year wait for an away win against Marseille (D2, L7).
Players to watch: Defender Leonardo Balerdi was on the scoresheet in Marseilleâs last home outing, with four of his five goals for the club coming via his head. January arrival Didier Lamkel ZĂ© scored on his debut for Metz in their defeat against Lorient and two of his four career Ligue 1 strikes were also headers.
Hot stat: A league-high 57% of Marseilleâs league goals this season have arrived inside the opening 30 minutes.