Dijon vs Metz — Ligue 2

**Dijon 4-2 Metz**

**What set this match apart:** This match was more unusual than 96% of matches. The unusualness was primarily driven by the build-up (34%) and duels (33%). Metz bypassed the midfield with a massive volume of direct play, recording 52 accurate long balls to Dijon's 23, a +29 gap at the 99th percentile of gaps. Conversely, Metz also showed extreme patience in their own half, completing 324 passes compared to Dijon's 145, a +179 gap at the 97th percentile of gaps.

**How it played out:** Dijon was the more aggressive side in winning the ball back, recording 29 tackles to Metz's 9, a +20 gap at the 100th percentile of gaps. This combative approach was reflected in the ground duels, where Dijon won 49 to Metz's 36, a +13 gap at the 93rd percentile of gaps. Metz, meanwhile, focused on reading the game with 14 interceptions to Dijon's 8, a +6 gap at the 85th percentile of gaps. While both sides were under pressure, evidenced by 7 blocked shots in total (81st percentile of joint volume), Metz found more success on the flanks with 9 accurate crosses to Dijon's 3, a +6 gap at the 94th percentile of gaps. There were few successful dribbles in the match, but Metz was clearly ahead with 11 to Dijon's 3, a +8 gap at the 95th percentile of gaps. Despite these differences in build-up, both teams were prolific in the final third, recording 23 shots inside the box in total (96th percentile of joint volume).

**Verdict:** The fair probabilities are Dijon win 61%, draw 33%, and Metz win 6%. The performances pointed to a Dijon win and that is what happened, supported by Dijon creating 6 big chances to Metz's 1.