Metz play host to Marseille on Saturday still looking for their first win of the 2025-26 Ligue 1 campaign.
In sharp contrast, the visitors to Stade Saint-Symphorien are sitting in third place in the table, helped by a three-match winning streak that includes a victory over champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Furthermore, Roberto De Zerbi's side stormed past Ajax in the Champions League in midweek to kick-start their efforts to go deep in that competition.
How do the bookies see it: Value in the draw?
As you would expect, bookmakers Boylesports have priced Marseille as the heavy favourites at 4/9.
Metz are out at 9/2 with the draw potentially offering value at 10/3 when taking into consideration that Marseille were in European action on Tuesday night.
That suggestion is strengthened by Metz's two points this season both coming at home, their solitary defeat at Stade Saint-Symphorien coming by a 1-0 scoreline to Strasbourg.
Head to head: A dominant fixture for Marseille
With Metz having spent time in and out of France's top flight, there have only been 23 matches between these sides since 2004.
Marseille have prevailed on 11 occasions, with eight of the other 12 contests ending in draws.
Incredibly, six of the last seven games have been stalemates, the most recent occurring in February 2024 when Metz earned a 1-1 draw at Stade Veldrome.
However, Metz have failed to overcome Marseille on familiar territory on the last five occasions.
Players to watch: Greenwood, Aubameyang in form
Mason Greenwood has hit the ground running for Marseille, building on his outstanding first year at the club with three goals and four assists from his opening eight appearances in 2025-26.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also starred on his return to French football, chipping in with four goals and two assists from just four starts and three substitute outings.
However, there is the possibility of the latter being rested on Saturday, a consequence of playing the full 90 minutes versus Ajax four days earlier.
Nobody in this Metz squad have netted more than once in Ligue 1, but Gauthier Hein is the one to watch with one strike and two assists from the playmaker across five outings.
Predicted lineups: Marseille rotation?
If Aubameyang drops out of the starting lineup for this game, Amine Gouiri could be selected in his place despite failing to net in five Ligue 1 starts.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Angel Gomes are both in contention for a return in midfield, as is Amir Murillo at right-back.
While Sadibou Sane has served his suspension for a red card earlier in the season, the centre-back may have to settle for a place among the replacements courtesy of the clean sheet that was kept against Le Havre in his absence.
Head coach Stephane Le Mignan has already used 23 players across just six games, but he may prefer familiarity on this occasion, even if Giorgi Tsitaishvili is chosen ahead of Michel Mboula
Metz: Fischer; Gbamin, Yegbe, Kouao; Bokele, Traore, Deminguet, Mboula; Hein, Sabaly; Diallo
Marseille: Rulli; Pavard; Aguerd, Medina, Emerson; Hojbjerg, O'Riley; Greenwood, Nadir, Paixao; Gouiri
Anything else catch the eye?
Just two of the 13 goals that Metz have conceded in Ligue 1 this season have come in home matches.
However, four of the five strikes that they have scored have been in away fixtures, with just three goals coming for either side in three Metz home fixtures.
At the same time, Marseille have netted just twice in three away Ligue 1 fixtures, as well as only shipping three goals.
That said, both of those strikes came in their last such encounter, a comeback 2-1 victory over Strasbourg.
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