Toulouse vs Metz prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-09-30 13:00.
After starting their season with a Ligue 1 win over Nantes, Toulouse haven’t tasted a competitive victory since (D4, L2) and ended matchday six just one place above the relegation zone (W1, D3, L2). That still represents a better start than last season (W1, D2, L3) so fans might not be getting too despondent just yet.
With a European campaign underway as well, the loss of Zakaria Aboukhlal to injury will be keenly felt as the Violets try to break a cycle of four consecutive league draws at Stadium de Toulouse, where they haven’t won a Ligue 1 fixture since 12th February (D4, L5 – the longest ongoing such run in the top flight). Relief might come in the form of Metz arriving as they’ve only lost one of the last ten home H2Hs (W6, D3).
But this is no gimmie as Metz have gained two more points than Toulouse this term (W2, D2, L2) and it would have been more had they not conceded late on to go down 1-0 against Strasbourg. That was their fourth goal conceded after the 80th minute in the league already this season, which threatens to cost them dear if the trend continues, especially as they’re the only team in the division yet to score in that period.
The Maroons have kept things tight defensively and produced two 1-0 away league wins in a row, which is some effort following promotion from Ligue 2 last term. They have a little piece of history on their side as they chase a rare third straight Ligue 1 away win, as the last time they achieved that feat was in April 1998, completing that run of three 1-0 victories against none other than Toulouse!
Players to watch: Hoping to step into the void left by Aboukhlal, Frank Magri has netted inside the first 25 minutes in three of his last four goalscoring appearances. Another potential early scorer is Cheikh Sabaly, who has registered Metz’s first goal of the game in two of their last five fixtures.
Hot stat: Toulouse are unbeaten in 18 of their last 20 Ligue 1 fixtures against promoted sides (W7, D11, L2).