Reims take on Metz in the second leg of Ligue 1 relegation playoffs at Stade Auguste-Delaune On Friday. This is a match that decides who grabs the last available spot in the 25/26 Ligue 1 roster.
The first leg at Saint-Symphorien ended in a tense 1-1 draw, with Matthieu Udol giving Ligue 2 side the lead before Cedric Kipre equalized for Reims.
This left the tie wide open, with Reims fighting to preserve their 7-year Ligue 1 status and Metz aiming to return to the top flight after last season’s relegation.
With a place at the top tier of French football at stake, the Reims sporting management invited Davis Cup champion Yannick Noah to their facilities in an attempt to provide mental boost for the players.
The Red and White team will need all the help they can get considering the close H2H record between the two sides. In 25 meetings, both Reims and Metz have won 6 times each.
Form Guide and Team Performance
A 3-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Coupe de France final on May 24 likely drained Reims’ confidence and energy, especially with the quick turnaround for this playoff. In fact, their recent form has been devastating with 4 losses and a draw in the last 5 games.
Malian manager Samba Diawara has emphasised that he hates their style of play, as he usually employs a low block, leaving possession to the opponent and quick counterattacks to try to cause damage.
It’s a restrictive style which hasn’t worked for Reims as they finished the Ligue 1 season in 16th spot with 33 points. But they can raise their game when needed as seen in the wins over Monaco and Lens in the league.
On the other end, The Maroons, managed by Stephan Le Mignan, has shown attacking intent in their promotion push.
Finishing third in Ligue 2, Metz boast of a strong recent form, with only one loss in their last 12 matches across all competitions, including six wins. Although the players looked weary at the end of first leg, Metz are expected to show courage.
Predictions
Likely – Reims’ desperation to stay in Ligue 1 might result in a low-scoring draw, forcing extra time if they can tighten up defensively.
Place your bets on Reims vs Metz here!
Betting on under 2.5 goals is a strong option, as Reims have struggled to score, and Metz’s playoff games have also been low-scoring. Another good choice is both teams to score (BTTS) – Yes, as both teams found the net in the first leg. Metz’s recent games have featured BTTS in nine out of their last ten matches. A riskier bet is Keito Nakamura to score anytime as the Japanese forward is Reims’ topscorer with 11 goals to his name this season.
Disclaimer – Always gamble responsibly and consider all factors before placing a bet.
