The Matchday 4 clash in Ligue 1 between Metz and Angers will be held on September 14 at the Stade Saint-Symphorien. Metz vs. Angers: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Metz
The opening matches of the current Ligue 1 season have certainly not gone well. The team has lost all three of their league matches, initially falling to European competition participants Strasbourg and Lyon, and then failing to contain Paris Saint-Germain in the last round (2-3). Notably, their defensive play has been weak, with the club conceding in 16 of their last 17 matches in Ligue 1, playoff matches, and Ligue 2. Metz currently sits at the bottom of the league table.
- Both teams have scored in 13 of Metz's last 16 games in Ligue 1, playoff matches, and Ligue 2.
- At least 3 goals have been scored in 12 of these 16 matches.
- The club has scored in 14 of their last 16 matches in Ligue 1, playoff matches, and Ligue 2.
Predicted lineup for Metz (4-2-3-1)
Jonathan Fisher – Terry Yegbe, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Sadibu Sane, Koffi Kouao – Boubacar Traore, Benjamin Stambouli – Gauthier Hein, Giorgi Tsitaishvili, Giorgi Abuashvili – Idrissa Gueye.
Key defender Sadibu Sane is suspended for 3 matches. Forward Idrissa Gueye has left Metz, while defender Fode Ballo-Toure and forward Habib Diallo have joined the club.
Angers
In Ligue 1, the team is accustomed to battling for survival, but at the start of this season, they find themselves mid-table. In the first three rounds of the championship, the club only suffered a defeat in an away match against PSG, and that was by the narrowest of margins (0-1). Before that, Angers defeated Paris (1-0), and in the last Ligue 1 match, they drew with Rennes (1-1). For a perennial underdog, Alexander Dujou's side has been relatively solid defensively, conceding no more than 1 goal in 5 of their last 6 league matches.
- At least one team has failed to score in 11 of Angers' last 14 Ligue 1 matches.
- No more than 2 goals have been scored in 8 of the club's last 10 league matches.
- The team has won with a handicap (+1.5) in 8 of their last 10 matches in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Angers (4-2-3-1)
Kwaku Koffi – Carlen Arcou, Ousmane Camara, Jordan Lefort, Jacques Ekomie – Yassine Belkdim, Haris Belkebla – Louis Mouton, Lilian Rao-Lisoa, Sidiki Cherif – Peter Prosper.
Midfielder Himad Abdelli is close to returning from injury.
Referee
Benoit Millot (France)
Matches – 17 (Ligue 1, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 63;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.7;
Red cards shown – 8;
Average fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 35%.
Metz vs. Angers: Match Prediction
Metz remains the only team in Ligue 1 that has yet to earn a point this season. The club's defense has been weak, conceding a total of 7 goals in the first three rounds of the championship, a record worse than only three other teams in the tournament. Overall, there are issues across all lines, as Metz has failed to win in regular time in 8 of their last 10 matches in Ligue 1, playoff matches, and Ligue 2 (3 draws, 5 losses). In head-to-head encounters with Angers, Metz has also been unconvincing, failing to win 5 of their last 6 league meetings (1 draw, 4 losses).
Angers is becoming a very resilient opponent, capable of challenging many clubs. The team has not lost in 4 of their last 6 Ligue 1 matches (3 wins, 1 draw). Additionally, Angers has been effective in attack in head-to-head meetings with Metz, scoring in 5 of their last 6 encounters, with at least 2 goals in 3 of them. Meanwhile, in 7 of their last 8 head-to-head meetings, the club has conceded no more than 1 goal.
In my opinion, Angers should also take points from a lackluster Metz. Prediction: Angers to win or draw
