Lyon vs Metz prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-11-04 12:00.
Following the horrifying ordeal Lyon were subjected to last weekend when the team bus was attacked by Marseille fans – leading to head coach Fabio Grosso requiring 13 stitches and the match being postponed – the side that sit bottom of Ligue 1 resume their search for a first win of an already-chastening season. A return of just three points from their opening nine matches rather unsurprisingly represents the worst-ever start in Les Gones’ history, with Grosso’s men already seven points adrift of safety ahead of this round.
A home match could provide some respite given that six of the seven goals they’ve scored so far this campaign have come at the Groupama Stadium. A fanbase that’s been notoriously furious with their side’s efforts will be clamouring for a faster start, as Lyon are yet to score the opening goal in Ligue 1 this season, while they’ve led just once at half-time from their nine fixtures thus far.
Even though Metz also find themselves embroiled in a fight for survival, the mood around the club is far less toxic given their status as a newly-promoted side. The Maroons find themselves six points clear of Lyon – albeit having played a game more and still sitting in the relegation play-off place ahead of kick-off – following their goalless draw with Le Havre, which ended a run of four straight defeats, but saw them fail to score for the fourth time in five matches.
Encouragingly though, László Bölöni’s men have picked up their two wins this campaign on the road, recording 1-0 victories over fellow bottom-half sides Clermont and Lens. Their Romanian boss has endured a torrid time on his previous trips to Lyon, losing seven of his eight away H2Hs (W1). with the sole victory coming back in February 2006.
Players to watch: All three of Lyon captain Alexandre Lacazette’s goals this term have come at home, while the 32-year-old has scored four times in five meetings with Metz. Looking to upstage the veteran will be Cheikh Sabaly, who is only the visiting player currently at the club to have netted more than once in 2023/24.
Hot stat: Metz haven’t won any of their last 39 Ligue 1 matches (D8, L31) after falling behind!