Angers vs Metz Predictions

Angers felt the full throttle of Lyon’s attack last time out as they were thrashed 6-0 by Sylvinho’s men. Stéphane Moulin’s usually solid team were taken apart in a match that les Scoïstes fans will want to quickly put behind them. Some have blamed this result on the fact that one of their key players Jeff Reine-Adélaïde was signed by Lyon just days before the match. Reine-Adélaïde has been a pivotal part of Angers’ midfield for the past six months so Moulin has a real job on his hand finding a replacement for the former Arsenal man. 

Angers opened the season with a confident 3-1 win over Bordeaux but with Reine-Adélaïde scoring and assisting in that game, les Scoïstes have to regroup and build their play around a different player. They still have quality in their squad but will need to fill that Reine-Adélaïde shaped gap in the middle of midfield quickly. Angers have lost just one of their last ten competitive home games so they should expect to beat newly promoted Metz here but it won’t be easy considering the result that their opponents got last weekend.

Metz showed an inspired performance to beat the 2016/17 Ligue 1 champions Monaco 3-0 at home on Saturday. Star striker Habib Diallo scored twice in this win, proclaiming his quality following his 26 goal season last year in Ligue 2. Diallo also scored for Metz as they drew 1-1 on the opening weekend of the season and manager Vincent Hognon will be hoping that the Senegalese will continue this form. Metz were obviously aided by a calamitous Monaco side but the win was still impressive and they should aim to build on this.

Metz had a great away record last year with them losing just two of their matches on the road in the league all season. They showed that they could replicate that form in Ligue 1 against Strasbourg a few weeks ago and if Diallo keeps scoring, Angers could be in with a surprise here. 

Angers have conceded 15 goals in their last five competitive games and with Metz scoring eight in that time, we expect the away side to hit the back of the net. We’re backing Metz to win 2-1 as Angers have still to replace Reine-Adélaïde and that will greatly affect les Scoïstes here. Metz’ great away record should be enough to see them past a shellshocked Angers side. Metz have kept three clean sheets in their last seven competitive matches but with Angers almost scoring on a number of occasions against Lyon, we can’t see the away side keeping it tight at the back.