In the first leg of the playoff for a spot in Ligue 1, Metz will face Reims on May 21 at the Stade Saint-Symphorien. Metz vs. Reims: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Metz
The club finished third in the current Ligue 2 season, earning the right to compete for promotion to the top division. Metz reached the decisive stage of the playoffs by defeating Dunkirk 1-0 in the semi-final. Last season, the team was relegated from Ligue 1 after losing in the playoffs to Saint-Etienne (1-2; 2-1, 0-1 a.e.t.). Notably, Metz suffered the fewest defeats in this Ligue 2 season – 5 (18 wins, 11 draws). The team completed the main tournament with a solid positive goal difference of 64:34. At home, Stéphane Le Mignan's side lost only once in this Ligue 2 season, winning 10 matches and drawing 6.
- Both teams scored in 10 of Metz's last 11 matches in Ligue 2 and the playoff games.
- At least 3 goals were scored in 10 of the club's last 11 matches in these competitions.
- The team has not lost in 31 of their last 32 home games in the second division and playoff matches (19 wins, 12 draws).
Predicted lineup for Metz (4-5-1)
Pape Sarr – Matthieu Udol, Yury-Michel Mvula, Sadibou Sane, Koffi Kouao – Alpha Toure, Jessy Deminguet, Morgan Boakye, Gautier Hein, Pape Diallo – Cheick Sabaly.
Reims
After suffering three consecutive defeats at the end of the season, Reims finished 16th in Ligue 1. As a result, the team is forced to fight for its place in the top division through the playoffs. Unlike Metz, Reims did not play in the preliminary stage of the playoffs, advancing straight to the final. In this Ligue 1 season, the club managed to win only 8 matches (9 draws, 17 losses), with only Montpellier (4) having fewer victories. Reims' attack was weak, scoring only 33 goals this season, with only Angers (32) and Montpellier (23) scoring fewer. On the road, the team performed slightly better, earning 17 points compared to 16 at home.
- Reims has not won in 20 of their last 23 matches in the French championship (7 draws, 13 losses).
- The club has not scored more than 1 goal in their last 5 matches in this tournament.
- At least one opponent failed to score in 7 of Reims' last 8 away matches in Ligue 1.
Predicted lineup for Reims (5-4-1)
Yehvann Diouf – Sergio Akieme, Cedric Kipre, Joseph Okumu, Hiroki Sakine, Aurelio Buta – Junya Ito, Mory Gbane, Amadou Kone, Valentin Atangana Edoa – Jordan Siebatcheu.
Midfielders Yaya Fofana, Teddy Teuma, Reda Khadra, and forward Mohamed Daramy will not play due to health issues.
Referee
Hakim Ben El Hadj (France)
Matches – 20 (Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 82;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.1;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 28;
Penalties – 25%.
Metz vs. Reims: Match Prediction
The hosts barely overcame the previous stage of the playoffs, defeating Dunkirk only at the very end of the game, scoring the decisive goal in the 93rd minute of added time. That match was also played at home, where Metz has been excellent this season, as noted above. Throughout the Ligue 2 season, the team lost only once at home, scoring 37 goals and conceding 15. Overall, Stéphane Le Mignan's side had a stable season, deservedly finishing among the top three.
In contrast, Reims cannot be described in the same way. Reims had a disastrous run in Ligue 1 from November to March, going winless in 15 matches (6 draws, 9 losses). However, the club transformed, reaching 13th place with a 5-point lead over the playoff zone with three rounds to go. But a poor end to the season saw Reims unexpectedly drop to 16th place, forcing the federation to even reschedule the playoff dates, as they will play in the French Cup final against PSG on Saturday. This will undoubtedly impact the visitors' preparation for the upcoming match.
I doubt that Reims, caught in such an unplanned situation, will be able to regroup. The club already had a poor season, and now they face a strong Metz side, which is excellent at home and has not lost in 31 of their last 32 matches in Ligue 2 and playoff games. Reims, on the other hand, has failed to win in 10 of their last 11 away matches in Ligue 1. Moreover, Metz has never lost to Reims at home in the new millennium in the first and second tiers of French football (3 wins, 7 draws). I am confident that the hosts will not lose this time either, my prediction: Metz to win or draw
