Metz vs Lille: Betting Odds & Prediction

Relegation-threatened Metz host a Champions League-chasing Lille side on Sunday afternoon. 

The hosts sit just one point above Le Havre in the relegation play-off spot. Lille, meanwhile, are one point behind Brest who occupy the final Champions League qualification place. 

The visitors secured a 2-0 home win in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. Kick-off is set for 12pm UK time at Stage Saint-Symphorien. 

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Metz

A return to the French top-flight has proven tough for Metz, but László Bölöni's side have recorded back-to-back victories in their last two matches. The wins have lifted them out of the relegation places for the time being, and with 16th-placed Le Havre travelling to champions PSG on Saturday, Metz have an opportunity to extend the gap between themselves and their rivals. 

They face a stern task this weekend though, as they prepare to face the sixth-highest scorers in Ligue 1. While they may take hope from Lille's struggles on the road, Metz have hardly convinced in front of their own fans. Only two sides have worse home records than the 0.86 points Metz have averaged on home turf so far. 

Scoring goals has been a major problem; Bölöni's men have failed to find the net in six of their home fixtures, and have averaged just one goal per game. The poor return has been compounded by a leaky defence which has kept clean sheets in just two home outings, averaging 1.43 goals conceded in the process. 

Lille

The away side come into the game following a 1-0 away defeat at Monaco. The loss was Lille's third in five away outings, further emphasising their apparent inability to replicate their strong home form on the road. Despite boasting the best home record in Ligue 1, Lille have just the eighth-best in away fixtures.

Paulo Fonseca's men have particularly struggled to find the back of the net on their travels. A lowly average of 0.93 goals scored has seen them fail to score in four away outings already, and only three have seen them score two or more goals. 

Their 1.2 goals conceded in away fixtures is respectable, but is still far higher than the 0.53 shipped at home. Still, Lille have kept six clean sheets on the road so far. 

Prediction

Both sides' records heading into the game suggest a low-scoring encounter lies in wait in this one. Despite their struggles on the road, Lille should still have too much quality for the home side who remain in real danger of dropping back down to Ligue 2 next season. 

OddsNow's Picks: Lille to win (4/5 @ QuinnBET); Under 2.25 total goals (11/10 @ LiveScoreBet)