Metz vs Reims prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-09-02 13:00.
After a sobering 5-1 defeat on the opening day, newly-promoted Metz have acquainted themselves with the top-flight by avoiding defeat in their next two fixtures (W1, D1). A first victory of the Ligue 1 campaign came their way at Clermont last time out (1-0) despite the Maroons managing just 28% possession, indicating they may be perfectly set up to execute smash-and-grab raids to secure survival.
Manager László Bölöni was dealt a major blow this week though, with last season’s top scorer Georges Mikautadze departing for European giants Ajax. He’d helped Metz to score in each of their last 17 competitive matches, scoring 14 goals and assisting four times, so replacing his goals will be top of Bölöni’s agenda going forward. He’ll also be keen to maintain their stellar home form, with the Maroons unbeaten on their own turf since September 2022 (W8, D7).
Visitors Reims have made a great start to the Ligue 1 season, as despite losing to Marseille on the opening day, they sit inside the top-three ahead of this round just a point adrift of leaders Monaco thanks to two wins since. Will Still’s men showed their ruthless streak in victory at Montpellier (3-1), with that win ending a five-match losing streak on the road in league action.
Repeating the act would leave the Red and Whites on nine points after four rounds, a total they’ve not managed in the top-flight since 2015/16. Achieving that will require them to rip up the history books however, as Reims haven’t won an away H2H in any competition since December 1975!
Players to watch: Metz will be looking to players like Cheikh Sabaly to fill Mikautadze’s boots, with each of his last three goals serving as his side’s first on the day. Reims’ Teddy Teuma had a hand in all three of his side’s goals against Montpellier (G2, A1) and he’s been on the winning side in each of the last 23 matches he’s netted in!
Hot stat: Last season, Reims’ Ligue 1 away matches averaged just 2.05 goals, the lowest in the division.