Metz vs Auxerre: prediction, head-to-head and probable line-ups – 15 February 2026
One of the fixtures of Ligue 1's 22nd round will take place this Sunday at the Stade Saint-Symphorien in Metz, where the home side Metz will host Auxerre. Here, a cautious scenario with low scoring seems likely—these are direct rivals in the relegation battle, and the price of a mistake is simply too high.
Match preview
Metz remain bottom of the table, but in the previous round Benoît Tavenot's side showed signs of life, holding Lille to a goalless draw (0-0). Prior to that, they suffered three consecutive league defeats and a painful French Cup exit at the hands of Montpellier (0-4). However, a draw against a team competing for European places could prove a psychological turning point.
The Maroons have now gone nine league games without a win and are averaging just one goal per match. Up front, much depends on Georges Mikautadze (6 goals), who will face his former club, but overall the team is struggling to convert chances.
Auxerre sit 16th, just one point ahead of Metz. Christophe Pélissier's team are also winless in their last six outings, but have managed back-to-back 0-0 draws against Toulouse and Paris FC by focusing on a tight defensive setup.
The visitors' main headache is their attack: only 14 goals in 21 matches, the league's worst tally. Lassine Sinayoko (6 goals) remains their main hope up front, but the team has failed to score in five straight rounds, which, against the backdrop of this tense situation in the table, makes for an ultra-cautious encounter in Metz.
Probable line-ups
- Metz: Fischer, Kouakou, Sané, Mbula, Ballo-Touré, A. Touré, Stambouli, Déminguet, Tsitaishvili, Diallo, Michal.
- Auxerre: Léon, Mensah, Akpa, Diomandé, Sy, Danois, Ahamada, Owusu, Sinayoko, Casimir, Namaso.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Auxerre have failed to score in their last five league matches.
- The under 2.5 goals bet has come through in Auxerre's last five matches.
- In the reverse fixture, Auxerre beat Metz 3-1.
Prediction
This is a classic "match of nerves," where caution will take center stage. Both sides are struggling up front and will be focused primarily on not conceding. A scenario with few chances and a low tempo looks the most probable—optimal choice: under 2.5 goals.
