Nice vs Metz Prediction & Betting Tips (27 January)

Very serious during the first part of the season, OGC Nice took advantage of the numerous difficulties encountered by the teams capable of competing for the podium to grab 2nd place in the ranking. However, the hopes of a title are already almost zero for the Gym which is now 8 points behind the Parisian leader who is heading towards a new crown of champion of France. A little less well lately, the Aiglons are still doing the job in their den as against Reims 2-1 and Lens 2-0 before the holidays. But it's much more complicated away as they proved by losing in quick succession to Nantes 1-0, Le Havre 3-1 and Rennes 2-0 15 days ago. Francesco Farioli's men were still able to smile again last week by winning against Bordeaux 2-3 in the Coupe de France.

For its part, FC Metz has no other real objective than to maintain this year after having already had to go through the 2nd division last year. Eager to be able to establish themselves in the elite in the long term, the Moselle club is fighting as best it can to try to stay out of the red zone but it currently has the same number of points as the Lyon barrier. In great difficulty recently, the Grenats lost their last 5 matches played in the elite against Lille 2-0, Brest 0-1, Montpellier 0-1, PSG 3-1 and, finally, against Toulouse 0 -1 15 days ago.

Of course, midfielder Beka Beka will be missing. The replacement left side Perraud, however, is back from injury while the internationals Atal (not used recently) Boudaoui (2 goals) are already eliminated from the CAN. The first, suspended for a long time by the club and the League, will not return to Nice until next week but Boudaoui is in the group. Boga (3 goals, 2 assists) and scorer Moffi (6 goals, 2 assists in L1) are still there. Injured for a while, midfielder Khéphren Thuram and new Moroccan international Sofiane Diop returned to competition last weekend. The precious Laborde (3 goals in L1) and winter recruit Mohamed-Ali Cho (ex-Real Sociedad, Angers) should be able to start with center forward Guessand, scorer in Bordeaux last weekend. Midfielder Sanson scored twice against the Girondins. Goalkeeper number 2 Sirigu joined Fatih Karagümrük this winter while former Dijon player Valentin Rosier arrived in the opposite direction from the Turkish club. However, he will still not be physically ready to make his first appearance in the group.

Also note the probable arrival of goalkeeper Maxime Dupé from Anderlecht. Disappointing striker Oscar Estupinian has recovered and is in the squad for this match. Defender Hérelle is suspended for the next 2 matches after his red received on the last day. If Lamine Camara (1 goal, 2 assists this season) is still playing in the CAN at the moment, potential starters Van den Kerkhof, Candé and Jallow have all been eliminated and returned to the club. However, the last city was injured against Cameroon and must forfeit. Back after 6 complicated months spent with Ajax, the Georgian Georges Mikautadze was unable to avoid his team's defeat against Toulouse. With 2 goals scored and 1 assist delivered during the 3 matches he played in August before his departure, he remains one of the players with the best statistics in this team. In the opposite direction, striker Elisor (Troyes) and midfielder Maïga (Ferencvaros) have left the club while full-back Kouao finalizes his departure to Schalke 04.