A place in Ligue 1 for 2025-26 is on the line this Thursday as Reims host Metz in the second leg of their play-off tie.
Last week’s first leg finished 1-1, so we are no closer to knowing who will be playing top-flight football in France next season.
Tension levels at the beautiful Stade Auguste Delaune will be incredibly high and predicting a winner is a tough task indeed.
Nevertheless, here is a full betting preview from betFIRST, featuring the latest football odds and tips for your bet.
And if you place a bet on Reims vs Metz, remember that our Cash Out feature allows you to collect winnings before the match has finished.
Reims vs Metz Preview
Reims enter this fixture on the back of another setback, having lost in last weekend’s Coupe de France final.
Granted, they did lose to Ligue 1 champions and Champions League finalists Paris Saint-Germain, but it was still far from ideal preparation.
Reims had just 23% possession in the 3-0 defeat to PSG, mustering just one shot on target and completing only 246 passes.
Metz also dominated the ball in the first leg, while having a high number of shots and shots on target.
So the side which finished third in Ligue 2 may be quietly confident of springing a surprise and returning to the highest level of football in France.
Metz won 18 of their 34 league matches, scoring 64 goals and conceding only 34.
Reims’ tally of 33 goals was the third-lowest in Ligue 1, though they did only let in 47, which is the same number as second-placed Marseille.
However, Reims have not kept a clean sheet in their last five matches – of which they lost four – and are beginning to resemble a team bereft of ideas.
If Metz manage to grab the first goal on Thursday evening, it would spell serious danger for a home side lacking confidence.
Reims vs Metz Odds
*All odds are subject to change
Reims are slight favourites to win the match in 90 minutes at 2.25. Metz are priced at 3.25, while the draw is 3.20.
Reims vs Metz Betting Tips
Under 0.5 goals in the first half @ 2.60
Matthieu Udol put Metz 1-0 up in the 38th minute of the first leg, but we can see the wait for a first goal extending to the second half at Reims’ home. The hosts will know that a goal against them in the opening 45 could be fatal.
Half-time/Full-time – Tie/Tie @ 4.75
Extra-time and possibly a penalty shootout? We would not be surprised if that is how the second leg pans out. Despite the fact they are currently in different divisions, these two teams look very evenly matched on paper.
Draw no bet – Metz @ 2.35
But while we fancy a draw, Metz are the team which we believe stand the most chance of emerging victorious – despite what the match result odds say. Metz have made a habit of winning in Ligue 2 this season, while Reims’ eight victories was the joint-second lowest total recorded in the top flight.
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