Metz vs Montpellier Prediction & Betting Tips (11 January)

Often too strong for Ligue 2 but too weak for Ligue 1, FC Metz is a regular in the elevator between the first two levels of French football. This year again, this observation is verified again since the Moselle club occupies the last place in the ranking in the elite, with only 12 points capitalized during the first 17 days. Suffering before the winter break, the Grenats had gone on a terrible series of 4 consecutive losses against Brest 3-2, Rennes 0-1, Auxerre 3-1 and PSG 2-3 before stopping the bleeding last weekend at Lorient 1-1. On the other hand, Stéphane Le Mignan's men did the job rather well when they entered the Coupe de France against Biesheim 0-3. MHSC, for its part, also occupied last place in the elite last year before being relegated to Ligue 2 where the rebound was not as good as they hoped.

While it was expected to play the leading roles in the race for an immediate return to Ligue 1, the Hérault club is only in 9th place in the ranking and is 6 points behind 5th place, the last qualifier for the play-offs. Hanging on to Grenoble in December 1-1, Zoumana Camara's men were largely dominated by Dunkerque 1-3 on Monday evening for their return to school in 2026. In the previous round, the Paillade players did not really shine to defeat Canet en Roussillon 0-1.

FC Metz must do without a lot of elements for this cup round. Indeed, the usual starters Gbamin (central defender), Diallo (3 goals, 2 assists in L1) and Sabaly (winger, no goals in 14 games) are all still involved in the CAN with their respective selections, the first with Ivory Coast at the CAN and the following with Senegal. To this we add that the left side Ballo-Touré (starter), the replacement goalkeeper Sy and relatively little used attackers Mangondo and Madjo are on the floor. The same could be true for midfielder Deminguet, who was injured in Lorient last week. A true playing master of this Metz team, Hein (5 goals, 3 assists in L1) will be the number 1 offensive threat on the Garnets side. Already absent on Monday against Dunkirk, the young Sishuba and the senior defender Sainte-Luce should throw in the towel again.

They were joined in the infirmary by midfielder Chennahi who was injured against Dunkirk on Monday. Eliminated Tuesday evening from the CAN, winger Mbuku should be back but not the starting goalkeeper Ngapandouetnbu who continues his journey with Cameroon. The formidable scorer Alexandre Mendy (5 goals, 2 assists in L2) saved the honor against Dunkirk on Monday evening and he should retain his place at the forefront. In support, we should also find the excellent Teji Savanier (5 goals, 3 assists in L2). 

• Summary: Metz is going head to head with Montpellier starting on 11 Jan 2026 at 17:00 UTC . The match is a part of the Coupe de France .
• Metz Feedinco Rating: 6.70
• Montpellier Feedinco Rating: 6.80