Montpellier vs Metz Prediction (18.02.2024)

French football is back this weekend with a full slate of fixtures across Ligue 1. There’s plenty to get excited about up and down the top flight and as we enter the last few weeks of February, it’ll be interesting to see who can start to build some momentum ahead of the next few months. Today, we’ll be taking a look at what should be a fun encounter between Montpellier and Metz.

Montpellier have done some memorable things over the course of the last decade or so, establishing themselves as one of the most unpredictable clubs to watch in France. In equal measure, though, they’re coming off the back of a campaign that they’d rather forget - and we’re putting that very lightly. Now, after a poor run of form, they’re in danger of something even worse.

If there was ever a sign that Montpellier were in trouble, just take a look at their most recent outing. They went head to head with Lyon on their own home turf, and while they did get themselves on the scoresheet, they also fell to a really disappointing 2-1 loss.

After just one season away from the spotlight, Metz are back in the big time - and they’re ready to ruffle a few feathers. They aren’t considered to be too much of a threat by the elite of the elite but for them, that probably won’t matter a whole lot. They have the talent necessary to spring an upset here and there, and you can bet they’re going to put up a much better fight this time around.

Metz wouldn’t have expected much from a visit to take on Marseille last Friday but instead of wilting away, they were able to put up a pretty good fight. They looked composed and confident, picking up a big 1-1 draw on the road against their ten-man opponents.

Both teams are in somewhat desperate need of a big result here and that much is evident. When you get a relegation six-pointer like that, fireworks tend to be produced more often than not - which is why we’re going to favour over 2.5 goals scored.