Metz 8/5 to beat Montpellier in Wednesday’s Ligue 1 showdown

Competition: Ligue 1

Market: Metz win

Odds: 8/5 @ 888sport

With a golden chance to break into the European spots on Wednesday evening, a high-flying Metz will welcome Montpellier to the Stade Saint-Symphorien in midweek.

Starting with the hosts, while Metz might have found themselves largely scrapping it out in a relegation battle last season, the Maroons have only continued to gain a string of plaudits this time around. With many around the Stade Saint-Symphorien dreaming of what would be a stunning European finish this year, Les Grenats put in another thumping display over the weekend. Eventually picking up a 4-2 romp against top-flight returners Brest, Frédéric Antonetti’s men are unbeaten in all five of their Ligue 1 contests since returning from France’s festive break. More impressive, knowing that victory on Wednesday could see them skyrocket their way into the top-five, it should also be noted that Metz are enjoying a three-match winning run, a run highlighted by a 1-0 win against Lyon last month.

As for the visitors, while the mood in Metz’s camp will remain at a red-hot high, Montpellier have only continued freefalling down the Ligue 1 table. Putting in another worrying display over the weekend, La Paillade were hit with a 2-1 defeat at home against Ligue 1 returners Lens and they have seen their early-season European ambitions take a major dent. Losing their spot in the top-10 and enduring what has been a torrid run of form, Michel Der Zakarian’s men have failed to win any of their last eight top-flight matchups on the bounce, a run that stems back to December 12th. Showing a string of glaring issues at the back, Montpellier should also be concerned by their most recent meeting against Wednesday’s hosts. Hit with a 2-0 defeat when they hosted Metz back in December, we’re backing a similar home victory in midweek.

Bet: Metz 8/5 to beat Montpellier in Wednesday’s Ligue 1 showdown @ 888sport