Metz vs Rennes Prediction 04.05.2024

• Competition: France - Ligue 1
• Date: Saturday, 4th, May 2024
• Kickoff: 18:00 UTC +1 / 19.00 CEST
• Venue: Stade Saint-Symphorien (Metz)

Metz will host mid-table Rennes in Saturday's gameweek 32 Ligue 1 clash at the Stade Saint-Symphorien, aiming to climb out of the relegation zone.

The Grenats have struggled to adapt to life in the French top-flight, putting their survival in jeopardy just a year after earning promotion as runners-up in Ligue 2. Heading into the final three matches of the Ligue 1 2023-24 campaign, Laszlo Boloni's squad currently occupies a relegation playoff spot, but level on points with Le Havre in the first safety position. Last time out, Metz came up short in their bid to make it three wins on the bounce as they threw away an early lead to suffer a 1-2 loss at home to LOSC Lille.

Standing in their way is a Stade Rennais side enduring one of their weakest domestic campaigns in recent years, as they are at risk of missing out on a European finish for the first time in four consecutive seasons. With three games left to play, Les Rouge et Noirs are currently sitting right in mid-table with 42 points on the board, four shy of sixth-placed RC Lens, the side they welcome next week at their Roazhon Park. Bearing this in mind, Julien Stephan and his side will need to adopt an all-or-nothing approach against the tenacious Metz to maintain their faint hopes of securing a top-six finish in Ligue 1.

Metz vs Rennes Betting Tips: BTTS

It's a real puzzle to determine the winner here, but we believe that goals at both ends will not be lacking between two sides that appear porous at the back and have been involved in several goal-fest affairs recently. Les Grenats experienced back-to-back exciting defeats upon their return from the latest Ligue 1 hiatus in March due to international fixtures, going down 2-5 against Monaco and suffering a seven-goal rout against Brest. Like their Saturday hosts, Rennes was involved in one of the most entertaining matches of the season when they succumbed to a rollercoaster 4-5 defeat against Stade Brestois last time out. 

Moreover, Metz's slender 1-0 win on March 10 marked the only instance in their previous 11 home games across all competitions where they managed to keep their net untouched. Rennes' defensive line isn't much better off, as they've registered just two shutouts in their previous 11 games in rival territory. Otherwise, Les Rouge et Noirs have been merciless against Metz in the past H2H meetings, having defeated them in six straight, while putting a whopping 17 times into Les Grenates' net in the last four occasions. Consequently, Rennes will fancy their chances of success, but they should anticipate a strong response from their opposition as Metz, with Georges Mikautadze in-form, is expected to light up the scoreboard in what could be a goal-filled affair.