Nice vs Metz Prediction & Tips
Nice continue to shock their doubters as they maintained second place in the Ligue 1 standings – despite a one-point deduction – with a late come-from-behind win over Clermont last time out. ‘Les Aiglons’ have proven to be a well-balanced side who play to their strengths, having scored the joint second-most goals in the league, while conceding the fewest at the other end!
Manager Christophe Galtier will be chomping at the bit ahead of the visit of matchday opponents Metz, as the 55-year old Nice coach has never lost in eight managerial meetings (W5, D3) with the last-placed side in Ligue 1, watching his side keep a clean sheet on five of those occasions.
Metz will be keen to show their win at the Allianz Riviera last season was no fluke, despite failing to win in any of their nine top-flight H2H visits prior (D3, L6). They showed the sort of fighting spirit needed to get out of the relegation zone by rescuing a 3-3 draw with Bordeaux in their previous encounter, recovering from 2-0 down at one point before equalising again after seeing red.
It’s been a painful decline for ‘Les Grenats’ since making such a positive start to 2021, as losing only two of their first ten Ligue 1 fixtures this calendar year (W5, D3) has been contrasted by winning only two of the 25 since (D9, L14). Both those wins did come away from home though, where Metz have performed slightly better on their travels (five points) than at home (four points) this season.
Players to watch: Nice youngster Amine Gouiri found the net in both H2H league fixtures last season, while Metz have never lost when the hero of the last game, Opa Nguette, gets on the scoresheet for them (W9, D9 – excluding extra-time).
Hot stat: Nice have claimed the joint-most points from losing positions at half-time than any other side in Europe’s top five leagues coming into the weekend (ten – tied with Inter Milan).
Nice – Metz FREE TIPS
Nice – Win @ 1.45
Both teams to score / YES @ 1.80
Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.90
