Nantes vs Metz Prediction

Right then, let's have a proper look at this scrap at the bottom. Nantes versus Metz - two sides who've been finding life in Ligue 1 tougher than a steak in a cheap cafe. The Canaries are sitting 15th with just 9 points from 10 games, while Metz are propping up the entire table with a measly 5 points. Not exactly champagne football, is it?

Nantes have been proper inconsistent at home, winning just 20% of their last 5 home matches and shipping 2 goals per game on their own patch. They did manage a decent 2-2 draw with Rennes and grabbed a 1-0 win over Auxerre, but then they went and got hammered 3-5 by Monaco in their last home game. Talk about Jekyll and Hyde!

Metz, though? Their away form is absolutely shocking. They've lost EVERY single away game this season. Every. Single. One. And they're conceding an eye-watering 4.2 goals per game on their travels. They got stuffed 6-1 by Lille and 4-0 by Toulouse recently. To be fair, they did just beat Lens 2-0 at home, but that's like finding a fiver in an old coat - nice, but it doesn't change the fact you're still skint.

Head-to-head, it's not great reading for Nantes either - they've only won 1 of the 9 meetings between these two. But at home, they've got a slightly better record with that 1 win in 4 attempts.

Looking at the numbers, both teams are struggling to find the net consistently. Nantes are averaging 1 goal per game overall, while Metz are only managing 0.8. But here's the thing - Metz's defence is about as solid as a chocolate teapot away from home.

The bookies have Nantes as favourites at 1.91, which seems about right given Metz's travel sickness. But I'm not convinced we'll see a goal fest here. Both teams have been keeping it relatively tight in some matches, and with the pressure on at the bottom, we might see a cagey affair.