Rennes vs Metz prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-08-12 15:05.
Head coach Bruno Génésio believes his Rennes side are shaping up well for the new season, as they look to break back into Ligue 1’s UEFA Champions League positions. The Red and Blacks, who have finished in fourth place in each of the last two campaigns, rounded off their preparations for 2023/24 with a 3-1 friendly defeat to Wolves earlier this month, but the manager believes they will “ramp up” their performance levels when the competitive action returns.
That result at Molineux was certainly an outlier for the French outfit this summer, given they also dished out hammerings to Nottingham Forest and West Ham. New signing Enzo Le Fée is one of the players who’s made an impression over pre-season, and he may be involved as Rennes attempt to win their opening league game for just the second time since 2013 (D3, L5).
History suggests they should be optimistic of doing that against visitors Metz, who have lost on seven of their last eight trips to Roazhon Park (W1). The Maroons are full of confidence themselves though, having been promoted back to the top-flight at the first attempt last season thanks to a second-placed finish in Ligue 2.
Manager László Bölöni has since strengthened his squad by bringing in the likes of Maxime Colin and Jean N'Guessan from Birmingham and Lausanne respectively. They may be involved here as Metz attempt to win a Ligue 1 away game for the first time in 18 months, having lost five of their last eight matches (D3) on the road in the 2021/22 season.
Key battle: Rennes striker Amine Gouiri will be looking to build on his record of three goals from six previous H2Hs with Metz (W3, D1, L2). Attempting to outscore him might be much-coveted Maroons striker Georges Mikautadze, who won 14 of the 17 games he netted in last season (D3).
Hot stat: Over their last four seasons in Ligue 1, Metz have won just one league game in the month of August (D4, L8).