Reims vs Metz prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 – Relegation – Play Offs betting tips on match 2025-05-28 18:30.
[p]After failing to add to their two previous Coupe de France titles when going down 3-0 to PSG on Saturday, Reims swiftly turn their attention back to securing an eighth successive season in Ligue 1. They host Metz in the second-leg of their promotion/relegation play-off final with the tie evenly poised after last Wednesday’s first leg finished 1-1, stretching their unbeaten H2H run to three matches (W1, D2).[/p]
[p]That sole win came in the last meeting at the Stade Auguste-Delaune, but home wins have been few and far between for Reims this season. They won more points away (17) than at home (16) in the regular Ligue 1 season, and with Samba Diawara’s side winless across their last six games across all competitions (D2, L4), failing to score in four of those fixtures, confidence is bound to be low here on the back of defeat in the cup final.[/p]
[p]With only two defeats since the turn of the year (W11, D7) and finishing the regular Ligue 2 season in third place, Metz come into this match in far stronger form. No side in the second tier picked up more away points than Metz in 2024/25 (29), and with Les Grenats winning five of their seven games on the road (D1, L1) from February onwards, hitting the road may not be the disadvantage it may seem in a fixture of this magnitude.[/p]
[p]Metz know how true that is more than anyone having been sent down to the second tier in front of their home fans last season. They’ve got a shot at instant redemption here, and given they haven’t partaken in successive Ligue 2 campaigns since 2010/11 and 2011/12, the omens are certainly on their side as they seek a first-ever Ligue 1 promotion via this route since it was reintroduced in 2016/17. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Sergio Akieme got an assist in the first leg, which means the left back has now contributed to four of the last five goals that Reims have scored! Kevin Van Den Kerkhof doesn’t tend to be far away from the action when Metz hit the road, amassing a goal, three assists and a yellow card across their last four away fixtures.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Metz have scored after the 75th minute in seven of their last eight away matches.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Tom Penn[/i][/p]