Metz vs Nice Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 French Ligue 1
THE FACTS
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When is Metz vs Nice on and what time does it start? Metz vs Nice will take place on Saturday 7th October, 2023 – 16:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Metz vs Nice? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Metz vs Nice on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Ligue 1 matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Metz vs Nice
Where can I stream Metz vs Nice in the UK? If Metz vs Nice is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
METZ
Metz gained promotion back to the French top-flight in relatively controversial circumstances ahead of Girondins de Bordeaux. After their 5-1 hammering on the opening day of the season it had appeared that most people’s expectations of Metz being relegation fodder this season would be realised but they have been much-improved since early August.
Laszlo Boloni’s side begin the weekend sitting just outside of the bottom three and the danger area. They had been pushing towards the top-half but back-to-back to nil victories against Strasbourg and Toulouse in the last week and a half means they have sunk down the Ligue 1 table. Only the current bottom two, Clermont and Lyon, have scored fewer than them so far this season.
NICE
Over the summer, the INEOS-owned southern Riviera club of Nice decided to take a risk in their managerial appointment, giving the job to Francesco Farioli. The one-time goalkeeping coach for Roberto De Zerbi’s Benevento, Farioli didn’t have a professional playing career and has only managed two clubs in the Turkish Super Lig up until this point.
However, their gamble looks like it may well pay off with Nice, who have spent extravagantly in recent seasons on relatively big names but consistently underperforming, starting the season with no defeats in their opening seven matches; winning three as well as, frustratingly, drawing four. They shared a goalless draw with fellow high flyers Brest last weekend.
THE TEAM NEWS
METZ
Metz will be missing a few key players for this weekend’s visit of Nice with two summer signings, Maxime Colin and Benjamin Tetteh, both out injured for this one.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Oukidja; Kouao, Herelle, Cande, Udol; Jacques, N’Doram; Asoro, Atta, Sabaly; Elisor
UNAVAILABLE: Tetteh (Injured), Nduquidi (Injured), Colin (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
NICE
Nice are missing a couple of players, such as Sofiane Diop and Antoine Mendy, but they could remain unchanged for this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Bulka; Attal, Todibo, Dante, Bard; Sanson, Ndayishimiye, Thuram; Laborde, Moffi, Boga
UNAVAILABLE: Diop (Injured), Mendy (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
This one does appear to be a bit of a mismatch, even with Metz playing at home. They will be pleased with their start to the season as their season goal revolves around simply surviving by any means necessary. They now face a Nice side that appear capable of going on a long winning run but a lack of decisiveness at the very pointy end in attack has held them back a touch so far. Despite that, they are the better side and will be firm favourites to continue their unbeaten start to the Ligue 1 campaign with a victory here.
TIP: NICE TO WIN
