Metz vs Strasbourg prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2025-08-16 15:15.
[p]Ligue 1 relegation/promotion play-off winners Metz return to the top tier after a one-year absence as they face Strasbourg, who came seventh last season. [/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]In 2023/24, Metz were relegated from Ligue 1 after suffering a division-high 21 losses, but they reacted well to clinch third spot in Ligue 2, which they followed up by beating Reims 4-2 on aggregate in the play-off to clinch promotion. Their summer has centred around the departure of a number of key players, so making the step up may prove difficult for the Maroons, who were thumped 8-0 in their final pre-season friendly by Hoffenheim, albeit that came over 120 minutes.[/p]
[p]Strasbourg finished in Ligue 1’s top seven for the second time in four years last season, qualifying for the UEFA Conference League play-off round, but it could have been even better as they lost their last two league matches of 2024/25 – their first back-to-back defeats in Ligue 1 since November. Le Racing will take confidence from starting their campaign on the road against Metz as each of their six away league wins last term came against sides who finished below them, with five accompanied by a clean sheet. Strasbourg have shown plenty of intent in the transfer market too, spending just shy of ÂŁ100m to bolster their squad, as well as loaning in three players from sister club Chelsea.[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]These two teams have met 119 times and have never faced any other opponent more often, with Metz leading the all-time record (W49, D34, L36). It has been Strasbourg who have dominated this fixture recently, with five successive victories since February 2021, while they could win four consecutive away H2Hs for the first time ever.[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Metz have lost seven of their last nine Ligue 1 matches, conceding 2+ goals in all those defeats.[/p]
[p]Metz have failed to score in only two of their last 20 home games.[/p]
[p]Five of Strasbourg’s last six Ligue 1 matches have featured over 2.5 goals. [/p]
[p]Seven of Strasbourg’s last nine league games have seen both teams score.[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Metz’s leading marksman last season, Cheikh Sabaly scored nine of his 15 league goals before half-time, with Metz netting 3+ goals in eight of his 11 goalscoring outings during 2024/25. Strasbourg’s new arrival JoaquĂn Panichelli has opened the scoring with each of his last three competitive goals, while ten of his last 11 strikes have arrived after the break.[/p]
[p]Metz will have to do without striker Gauthier Hein, who carries over a suspension from last season, while the same can be said for Strasbourg’s Andrew Omobamidele.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]Given their European ambitions, betting on a Strasbourg win here seems smart. Â [/p]
[p]Author: Tomáš Vlasák[/p]