Match Information
Match Overview
Metz welcome Stade Brestois 29 to the Stade Saint-Symphorien for this Regular Season Matchday 24 fixture, with both teams facing contrasting pressures in Ligue 1. The hosts find themselves in a precarious 18th position with just 13 points from 23 matches, firmly entrenched in the relegation zone and desperate for points to begin their survival campaign. Brest, sitting 11th with 30 points, occupy a more comfortable mid-table position but will be eager to distance themselves from any potential relegation concerns.
The most significant factor heading into this encounter is Metz's alarming defensive fragility, having conceded 52 goals in 23 matches - the worst defensive record in the league. Their recent 5-2 home defeat to Lyon and 3-0 loss to PSG highlight a team struggling to maintain any defensive structure. With key midfielder Benjamin Stambouli ruled out through injury alongside several other players, manager Benoit Tavenot faces a selection crisis that could further expose their defensive vulnerabilities. The home side's poor conversion rate of just three wins from 23 matches tells the story of a team lacking both quality and confidence.
Brest's recent form presents a mixed picture, with their 2-0 victory over Marseille demonstrating their capability against quality opposition, yet their away record of just two wins from eleven matches suggests they struggle for consistency on the road. The visitors' squad appears relatively healthy with only Mama Balde carrying a muscle injury concern. Eric Roy's side will view this as an ideal opportunity to secure valuable points against relegation-threatened opposition, particularly given their superior goal difference and recent head-to-head dominance. The psychological advantage firmly favors Brest, who have won four of their last six meetings with Metz, including a thrilling 3-2 victory earlier this season.
Predicted Lineups
Metz
Fischer; Kouao, Sane, Yegbe, Ballo-Toure; Gbamin; Michal, Toure, Traore, Tsitaishvili; Diallo
Stade Brestois 29
Coudert; Lala, Chardonnet, Diaz, Guindo; Magnetti, Chotard; Del Castillo, Doumbia, Dina Ebimbe; Ajorque
Team Form Analysis
Metz
Metz Form Analysis
Metz's recent form paints a picture of a team in freefall, managing just one point from their last five league matches while conceding an alarming 13 goals. Their defensive frailties were brutally exposed in back-to-back home defeats, shipping five goals to Lyon and three to PSG, highlighting a complete inability to maintain defensive discipline. The statistics reveal a team lacking in all departments - they've scored just 22 goals in 23 matches, the third-lowest tally in the division, while their 52 goals conceded represents the worst defensive record in Ligue 1.
Their home form offers little solace, with just two wins from eleven matches at the Stade Saint-Symphorien. The quality of opposition they've faced recently includes several top-half teams, but their inability to compete against any level of opposition is concerning. The 3-1 home defeat to mid-table Auxerre and failure to beat struggling sides demonstrates their lack of fighting spirit. With Benjamin Stambouli and other key players sidelined, the squad depth issues are becoming increasingly apparent. Manager Benoit Tavenot's tactical setup has failed to address the defensive vulnerabilities, and the team appears to lack the mental fortitude required for a relegation battle. Their away form is even worse, collecting just four points from twelve matches.
Stade Brestois 29
Stade Brestois 29 Form Analysis
Brest's form trajectory shows a team capable of impressive highs but struggling for consistency, particularly away from home. Their recent 2-0 victory over Marseille demonstrated their ability to raise their game against quality opposition, while the 1-1 draw with Lille showed resilience on the road. However, their overall away record of just two wins from eleven matches suggests they struggle to impose themselves in hostile environments.
Eric Roy's side has shown encouraging attacking intent, netting 31 goals across their 23 matches, with Ludovic Ajorque leading the line effectively. Their defensive record of 34 goals conceded is respectable for a mid-table side, though recent performances have highlighted occasional lapses in concentration. The 2-2 draw with Nice showcased both their attacking threat and defensive vulnerability, coming from behind to secure a point.
The team's squad depth appears adequate, with key players like Hugo Magnetti and Romain Del Castillo providing creativity from midfield. Their recent elimination from the Coupe de France on penalties to Avranches was disappointing but allows them to focus solely on league matters. The visitors have won three of their last five encounters with Metz, including memorable high-scoring affairs that suggest they relish these matchups. Their ability to perform in crucial moments will be tested against desperate opposition.
Head-to-Head
Metz
Stade Brestois 29
Recent Meetings
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-23 | Stade Brestois 29 | 3 - 2 | Metz |
| 2024-04-07 | Stade Brestois 29 | 4 - 3 | Metz |
| 2023-12-10 | Metz | 0 - 1 | Stade Brestois 29 |
| 2022-04-24 | Metz | 0 - 1 | Stade Brestois 29 |
| 2021-09-26 | Stade Brestois 29 | 1 - 2 | Metz |
| 2021-01-31 | Stade Brestois 29 | 2 - 4 | Metz |
| 2020-11-29 | Metz | 0 - 2 | Stade Brestois 29 |
| 2020-03-21 | Metz | None - None | Stade Brestois 29 |
| 2019-10-30 | Metz | 1 - 1 | Stade Brestois 29 |
| 2019-10-05 | Stade Brestois 29 | 2 - 0 | Metz |
Memorable Matches
The recent history between these sides has produced some genuinely thrilling encounters, with their November 2025 meeting serving as a perfect example of their entertaining rivalry. Brest emerged victorious 3-2 in a pulsating affair that saw both teams demonstrate their attacking capabilities, with the match requiring additional time to separate the sides. This result continued Brest's psychological dominance over Metz in recent years.
Their April 2024 encounter proved equally spectacular, with Brest claiming a remarkable 4-3 victory that showcased the unpredictable nature of this fixture. The match featured seven goals and multiple lead changes, demonstrating that defensive solidity is rarely a feature when these teams meet. This pattern of high-scoring affairs has become a hallmark of their recent meetings.
The January 2021 fixture at Brest stands out for different reasons, with Metz producing one of their finest away performances in recent memory to secure a stunning 4-2 victory. This match highlighted Metz's ability to perform when expectations are low, suggesting that despite their current struggles, they retain the capability to surprise opponents. These encounters have established a reputation for drama and goals, making this fixture one that neutrals often anticipate for its entertainment value.
Venue Factor
The Stade Saint-Symphorien has traditionally been a fortress for Metz, but recent evidence suggests this home advantage has significantly diminished during their current struggles. Their home record this season shows just two wins from eleven matches, with the venue failing to provide the intimidating atmosphere that once troubled visiting teams. The stadium's intimate setting typically generates a passionate atmosphere, but supporter frustration with the team's performances may have dampened the traditional fervor.
Metz's defensive vulnerabilities appear even more pronounced at home, where they've conceded 18 goals in eleven matches, suggesting the pressure of expectation may be affecting player performance. The recent heavy defeats to Lyon and PSG at home have potentially damaged confidence further, creating a negative atmosphere that could benefit the visitors.
Brest's away form presents contrasting evidence, with just two wins from eleven road trips indicating they struggle to adapt to hostile environments. However, their recent performances suggest they're more comfortable when facing teams under pressure, as evidenced by their ability to secure results against struggling opposition. Eric Roy's tactical approach appears well-suited to away fixtures where they can absorb pressure and counter-attack effectively. The venue factor may prove less decisive than usual given Metz's current fragility and Brest's recent dominance in this fixture.
Injury Concerns
Metz
Stade Brestois 29
