Bitesize Prediction: Metz vs Le Havre – 29/10/23

Competition: Ligue 1

Market: Under 2.5 goals

Odds: 7/10 @ BetUS

In what could prove to be a nervy affair from the Stade Saint-Symphorien on Sunday afternoon, Metz will welcome Le Havre to Lorraine.

Starting with the hosts, while Metz might have shocked many last season as they claimed a lucrative Ligue 1 return, it appears almost certain that Les Grenats are destined for a relegation scrap this time around. Although Laszlo Boloni’s side might have claimed a rugged 1-0 victory away at Champions League outfit Lens on September 16th, the Lorraine-based outfit have certainly come crashing back down to earth. Marking their return from October’s international break with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Monaco, the former Gent boss has seen his side lost each of their previous four top-flight appearances. Heading into the fortnight interval with a 1-0 loss at home against Nice earlier in the month, Boloni’s side open this weekend’s fixtures already sat in the drop zone. Despite bagging a consolation strike against Monaco last time out, Sunday’s hosts have shown some extended issues in the final third. It is worth highlighting, Metz have bagged just a single strike in over 400 minutes of action.

As for the visitors, although Le Havre might have continued to accumulate points since making their own Ligue 1 return this season, Luka Elsner’s side do have the feel of a squad seeking a recent boost. Last seen marking their return from October’s international break with a 0-0 stalemate at home against Lens, the Normandy-based outfit have secured just a single win from any of their previous five top-flight appearances. Opening October with a toothless 2-0 loss at the hands of Lille, the former Standard Liege boss will also have a mounting headache over his side’s extended struggle in front of goal. Including a routine 3-0 drumming against Marseille earlier in the month, the Dean Club have failed to find the net in four of their last five Ligue 1 showdowns. It should be noted, with five of the previous six meetings between Metz and Le Havre finishing with under 2.5 goals, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Bet: Under 2.5 goals at Metz vs Le Havre 7/10 for Sunday’s Ligue 1 battle @ BetUS