Nice will be aiming to close the gap on PSG at the top of the Ligue 1 standings this weekend, as they host Metz. It looks like a winnable game on paper for the side sitting second in the standings, but could Metz be set to upset the odds and aid their survival chances?
Ligue 1 Preview
The race for a European place in the French top-flight is heating up at this stage of the season, with just four points separating second to fifth in the current standings. Nice holds the advantage at this stage, as they sit second in the standings, but it looks unlikely that they will mount a serious title challenge, as they are already eight points behind PSG.
Their recent form would be a slight concern coming into the weekend, as Nice have suffered defeats in three of their last five matches. Over that period, the French side has recorded just two wins. Nice suffered a 2-0 loss in their most recent league match against Rennes, meaning that a return to form will be desperately required this weekend.
Metz are battling for points at the opposite end of the standings. The French side are currently sitting 15th, but they are only outside of the relegation places on goal difference. Meanwhile, their recent form is also extremely poor, as they come into this round after suffering defeats in their last five matches in the competition.
Their most recent defeat was suffered at home against Toulouse last Sunday. They fell behind early in that fixture, and they weren’t able to put their rivals under pressure throughout the second period. Their frustration was compounded when Christophe Herelle was sent off in the final 20 minutes.
Nice vs Metz Head to Head
The last four matches between these sides have been won by the side playing away from home. Metz have won on each of their last two visits to Nice, with the last home win for Nice being recorded in December 2019.
Nice vs Metz Prediction
The head-to-head record is an interesting factor this weekend, but it appears hard to side with Metz based on their recent performances in the competition. Therefore, the preference is for Nice to register a win to nil in order to close the gap on the top and further their claims for a Champions League finish.
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