On August 23, Olympique Lyonnais will host Metz in their second game of the 2025/2026 Ligue 1 season as they look to continue their good start this new campaign.
Lyon kicked off their new season on a positive note, securing a hard-fought 1-0 win away against RC Lens in their opening match of the campaign. Meanwhile, Metz's first game of the season did not go as planned for them as they lost 1-0 at home to RC Strasbourg.
Following their opening-day victory, Les Gones will be looking to build on that strong start by securing back-to-back wins. The hard-earned three points against RC Lens have set a positive tone for the season, and Lyon will now aim to carry that momentum into their next fixture.
Read our Lyon vs Metz predictions and preview to find out, but remember to also check our other Ligue 1 predictions.
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Lyon vs Metz prediction: Easy win for the Les Gones
Key statistics
- Lyon have won three of their last six home games against the Maroons.
- Georges Mikautadze has scored in his last two games.
- Les Gones have won by a 2-0 score line in two of their last six previous meetings.
Correct score prediction: Lyon 2-0 Metz
Paulo Fonseca’s Lyon side head into their upcoming clash with Metz carrying a solid record in recent meetings between the two teams. Les Gones have come out on top in two of their last three encounters with Metz, showing they have the upper hand in this fixture in recent history.
In addition to that, Lyon have been fairly consistent at home, winning three of their last six matches on their turf. This form at Groupama Stadium gives them added confidence as they look to maintain their positive momentum and secure another important victory in front of their home supporters.
Pre-match odds and win probability: Odds favour Lyon
- Home: 2/5 (1.40) – 71.43%
- Draw: 19/5 (4.80) – 20.83%
- Away: 9/2 (5.50) – 18.18%
*Odds provided by Ladbrokes. Subject to change.*
Fonseca’s side are strong favourites, with odds of 1.40, which gives them a 71.43% chance of winning. The draw is seen as a less likely outcome, with odds of 4.80 and a 20.83% chance, indicating that a stalemate is possible but not expected.
Meanwhile, Stephane Le Mignan’s Metz are clear underdogs, with odds of 5.50 and an 18.18% chance of winning, showing the difficult task they face against a much stronger Lyon side.
Most recent head-to-head: Lyon dominated previous meetings
Looking at the recent head-to-head record between Lyon and Metz, the trend strongly favours Fonseca’s men, particularly when playing at home.
In their last six home meetings across all competitions, Lyon, also known as the Kids, have remained unbeaten in five, securing three wins and drawing twice, with only one loss. They have also kept clean sheets in two of those wins.
Overall, the record reflects Lyon’s historical dominance in this fixture, particularly at home, and supports their status as favourites going into their next encounter.
France Ligue 1 23/02/24
Metz
Lyon
France Ligue 1 05/11/23
Lyon
Metz
France Cup 07/01/23
Lyon
Metz
France Ligue 1 08/05/22
Metz
Lyon
France Ligue 1 22/12/21
Lyon
Metz
After reviewing our key Lyon vs Metz predictions, be sure to visit our website for the remaining football betting tips today.
Lyon preview: Fonseca’s team in form
Lyon entered the new Ligue 1 season on a positive note, having enjoyed a strong pre-season where they won three of their last four friendly matches. This solid preparation seemed to boost the team's confidence, as they kicked off their league campaign with a hard-fought but encouraging victory, setting a promising tone for the weeks ahead.
Looking to build on that momentum, Fonseca’s men will be aiming to secure back-to-back wins when they return to action next weekend. However, their task will be made more challenging by several key absences due to injury.
Enzo Molebe is sidelined with an ankle injury and is not expected to return until early September 2025. Meanwhile, both Ernest Nuamah and Orel Mangala are recovering from serious cruciate ligament injuries, with Nuamah out until early December and Mangala not expected back before mid-October.
Predicted lineup: Descamps (GK), Kumbedi, Mata, Niakhate, Tagliafico, Maitland-Niles, Tolisso, Morton, Tessmann, Fofana & Mikautadze
France Ligue 1 10/05/25
L
Monaco
2
Lyon
0
France Ligue 1 04/05/25
L
Lens
2
Lyon
1
France Ligue 1 26/04/25
W
Rennes
1
Lyon
4
France Ligue 1 20/04/25
L
St Etienne
2
Lyon
1
UEFA Europa League 17/04/25
L
Man Utd
5
Lyon
4
Metz preview: Eyeing first win of the season
Le Mignan’s side experienced a mixed pre-season, managing two wins from four friendly matches, a run that reflected inconsistency rather than clear momentum. Their form took a further hit just before the new campaign, as they suffered a defeat to German outfit Hoffenheim in their final warm-up match.
That disappointment carried over into their Ligue 1 opener, where they were unable to bounce back and ended up losing their first game of the season. As they prepare to face a strong Lyon side, they will be eager to turn things around and claim their first win of the campaign.
On a more positive note, the squad currently has no injury concerns, giving Le Mignan a full team to choose from, an advantage that could prove vital in a tough away fixture where squad depth and tactical flexibility may play an important role.
Predicted lineup: Fischer (GK), Sane, Mboula, Van Den Kerkhof, Stambouli, Gbamin, Traore, Tsitaishvili, Bokele Mputu, Sane & Gueye
France Ligue 2 10/05/25
W
Laval
2
Metz
3
France Ligue 2 02/05/25
D
Rodez Aveyron
3
Metz
3
France Ligue 2 26/04/25
L
Pau
2
Metz
1
France Ligue 2 19/04/25
D
Red Star FC 93
2
Metz
2
France Ligue 2 11/04/25
W
Martigues
1
Metz
4
Player to watch: Georges Mikautadze
Georges Mikautadze is a player to keep an eye on after his strong showing in Lyon’s first game of the season, where he scored the only goal of the match and helped his team start with a win.
He looked sharp throughout the game, made smart runs and showed great composure in front of goal. His performance proved that he can be a reliable goal scorer and an important part of Lyon’s attack this season.