A stark contrast in league positions sets the stage at the Stade Louis II on Sunday, 21 September, as third-place Monaco host bottom-side Metz in a match expected to be heavily tilted in favour of the hosts.
Keep close tabs on French Ligue 1 predictions after viewing our key Monaco vs Metz tips below.
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Monaco vs Metz prediction: Monegasques to beat the Maroons black and blue
Key stats
- Monaco have won three of their opening four league fixtures (L1).
- The hosts have scored nine goals across their last five matches (W3, L2).
- Metz are winless in eight successive top division games, conceding the final goal in each.
- The visitors are winless in all four of their league matches this term (D1, L3).
Correct score prediction: Monaco 4-1 Metz
Monaco’s return to European football began in brutal fashion, as Club Brugge shipped four goals past them on the opening matchday of the UEFA Champions League. Nevertheless, the Monegasques have won back-to-back league games, and currently sit third in Ligue 1 after four rounds.
Metz, meanwhile, halted a streak of three league losses with a 1-1 draw at Angers, though Stephane Le Mignan’s side remain winless this campaign and face a daunting trip to Stade Louis II.
Monaco have now won three of their first four Ligue 1 matches for a third consecutive season – a first in the club’s history – and are strongly favoured to make Metz their fourth victim this term.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Strong home favourites
- HOME: 2/7 (1.28) – 78.1%
- DRAW: 5/1 (6.00) – 16.6%
- AWAY: 17/2 (9.50) – 10.5%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Adi Hutter’s side have led 1-0 at half-time in five of their last six top-flight wins, and it looks more than likely for them to emerge victorious here. They are priced at 2/7 (1.28) – a majority 78.1% win probability rate.
On the other hand, Metz are keen to record their first win of the league season, which seems fat-fetched, given their odds of 17/2 (9.50). This implies a mere 10.5% chance of victory for the visitors.
Visit our football betting tips page for more free predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: Extremely one-sided
In the 21st century, Monaco have hosted Metz 12 times – more often than any other top-flight side without ever losing (W10, D2). Metz’s last H2H win over Monaco dates back to August 2019, losing 14 of their 15 meetings since then.
France Ligue 1 30/03/24
Metz
Monaco
France Ligue 1 22/10/23
Monaco
Metz
France Ligue 1 03/04/22
Metz
Monaco
France Ligue 1 05/12/21
Monaco
Metz
France Cup 06/04/21
Monaco
Metz
Monaco preview: A third league win in a row?
Mohamed Salisu, Denis Zakaria, Aleksander Golovin, Lukas Hradecky and Paul Pogba are all left out of the matchday squad due to their respective fitness issues.
Predicted lineup: Kohn (GK), Vanderson, Kehrer, Mawissa, Ouattara, Bamba, Minamino, Camar, Akliouche, Balogun & Biereth
Last five matches:
- Club Brugge 4-1 Monaco (UEFA Champions League)
- Auxerre 1-2 Monaco (Ligue 1)
- Monaco 3-2 Strasbourg (Ligue 1)
- Lille 1-0 Monaco (Ligue 1)
- Monaco 3-1 Le Havre (Club Friendly)
Metz preview Can the underdogs hold out the Monegasques?
Sadibou Sane is still serving his three-match suspension, while Urie-Michel Mboula, Malick Mbaye and Joseph Mangondo do not pass a clean bill of health.
Predicted lineup: Fischer (GK), Kouao, Gbamin, Yegbe, Toure, Stambouli, Traore, Hein, Sane, Tsitaishvili & Diallo
Last five matches:
- Metz 1-1 Angers (Ligue 1)
- Paris FC 3-2 Metz (Ligue 1)
- Lyon 3-0 Metz (Ligue 1)
- Metz 0-1 Strasbourg (Ligue 1)
- Hoffenheim 8-0 Metz (Club Friendly)
Player to watch: Maghnes Akliouche
Akliouche opened the season with an important strike against Le Havre, before putting in a MOTM performance with a goal and an assist to down Strasbourg 3-2 on home turf. However, the 23-year-old forward has hit a block since then, going scoreless in Monaco’s subsequent two matches. Expect him to rise to the occasion as Monaco look to bounce back to winning ways.