Metz vs Nantes prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-11-11 14:00.
Life back in Ligue 1 hasn’t gone exactly as Metz would have dreamt, but back-to-back draws against Le Havre and fellow-strugglers Lyon might show they are beginning to get to grips with the top-flight. The Maroons, who have been relegated in five of their last eight first division campaigns, have now moved on to ten points from 11 games, and the tightly packed nature of the division means they are only a couple of wins away from mid-table.
The problem for László Bölöni’s side is that they are yet to pick up a single victory on home soil, a statistic that needs to change if they are to haul themselves to safety. The manager will be hoping they can end that run against visitors Nantes, and history suggests Metz have a chance of doing just that, given they are unbeaten in their last six home H2Hs (W2, D4).
That’s not good news for the Canaries, given they head to Stade Saint-Symphorien on the back of three defeats in five outings (W2), including a 1-0 loss to Reims last time out. Such form means they have fallen a little off the pace in the race to qualify for Europe, something they have not achieved through their league position since their shock Ligue 1 title winning campaign back in 2000/01.
It would therefore be considered a major surprise if Pierre Aristouy’s side, who only narrowly avoided relegation when coming 16th last year, managed to finish in the top-five. Supporters are still daring to dream, but if they are to seriously challenge for a European spot, Nantes surely have to improve on a defensive record that has seen them concede a league-high 20 goals, while keeping only two clean sheets in 11 outings this season.
Key battle: Metz goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja has kept an impressive three clean sheets in his five personal H2Hs (W2, D2, L1). Looking to put a dent in that record may be Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed, who has netted 16 of his last 21 goals after half-time.
Hot streak: None of the last nine meetings between these two teams have contained three or more goals.