Metz vs Clermont prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-03-09 14:00.
[p]A bottom-of-the-table barnstormer arguably highlights the Ligue 1 weekend as Metz and Clermont do battle as the pair look to reinvigorate their respective survival bids. Metz look well placed to do just that having ended a miserable ten-match winless run (D1, L9) in the French top-flight by beating Nantes last week, lifting them to within four points of safety pre-round while relieving some of the pressure that had recently built on boss László Bölöni.[/p]
[p]That was a second victory over Nantes this season, and encouragingly for the home faithful, they followed up the first one with a win in their next game too. Doing that here will need the Maroons to bring an end to a five-match losing streak in Ligue 1 at the Stade Saint-Symphorien that’s seen them net just twice, though they’re boosted by never having lost a top-flight H2H meeting (W1, D2). [/p]
[p]It’s been a truly dreadful campaign so far for Clermont, who sit bottom of the table and without a win in six matches (D3, L3) after receiving a 5-1 thumping from Marseille last week. Boss Pascal Gastien remains at the helm, but Frenchman Sébastien Bichard arrived from Red Star FC in the week to act as Gastien’s assistant, before eventually stepping up to the manager’s seat in the summer.[/p]
[p]Unless he can come in and help to oversee a remarkable transformation, Bichard will be in charge of a second-tier club next term with the Lancers some seven points adrift of safety ahead of the round. They do at least seem more comfortable on the road where they’ve won ten of their 17 points this term, while they emerged victorious on this ground as recently as January, beating Metz on penalties in the Coupe de France which could offer some much-needed confidence![/p]
[p]Players to watch: Each of Metz’s last six Ligue 1 goals were either scored or assisted by Georges Mikautadze or Matthieu Udol – the last time the Maroons scored a league goal without their involvement was remarkably all the way back in November! In response, Clermont could look to Muhammed Cham for a fast start as four of his last five Ligue 1 goals came in the first-half of matches.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Metz have led at half-time in just two of their 24 Ligue 1 matches this season (HT: D14, L8).[/p]