Bitesize Prediction: Nice vs Metz – 27/01/24

Competition: Ligue 1

Market: Nice win

Odds: 2/5 @ Pribet

Hoping to extend their buffer in the Champions League spots on Saturday afternoon, Nice will welcome Metz to the Allianz Riviera.

Starting with the hosts, making an immediate return to winning ways last weekend as they extended on their Coupe de France adventure thanks to a 3-2 victory away at Bordeaux, Nice will certainly be looking to make another domestic statement here. Continuing to receive a string of plaudits from across France’s elite this season, the Eaglets find themselves battling it out at the top of the Ligue 1 standings and they are sat in the driving seat to punch a Champions League ticket. Signing off 2023 with a routine 2-0 win against Lens, Francesco Farioli’s side have won three of their previous four domestic appearances across all competitions. Rightfully tipped as a standout contender on Saturday afternoon, Nice have also gained a reputation for their extended purple patch on home soil. In fact, the former Alanyaspor boss has seen his high-flying squad win all of their last six domestic showdowns at the Allianz Riviera. It should also be highlighted, on what has become a remarkable defensive flurry, Nice have shipped just a single strike in front of their own supporters since way back on August 11th.

As for the visitors, last seen on January 14th slumping to a toothless 1-0 loss at home against Toulouse, Metz find themselves at the heart of a Ligue 1 struggle. Crashing out of the Coupe de France earlier in the month as they suffered penalties heartbreak at the hands of Clermont, Laszlo Boloni’s men have lost all of their previous six domestic appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to November 26th. Plunging down the top-flight table and now at the heart of a relegation scrap, the Maroons have also continued to show some glaring defensive issues. Signing off 2023 with a routine 3-1 loss at the hands of PSG, Boloni’s side have recorded just a single clean sheet since the middle of September. Facing what looks set to be a stern challenge this weekend, Metz should also be worried by their most recent showdown against the Champions League chasers. Hit with a 1-0 defeat when they welcomed Nice to Lorraine for their reverse Ligue 1 clash on October 7th, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Bet: Nice 2/5 to beat Metz in Saturday’s Ligue 1 showdown @ Pribet