Preview: Lens vs Metz – prediction, team news, lineups

Lens will intention to return to profitable methods on Sunday once they welcome backside membership Metz to the Stade Bollaert-Delelis for his or her matchday 25 conflict in Ligue 1.

Les Sang et Or presently sit 4 factors behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain with 10 matches remaining, maintaining their hopes of UEFA Champions League qualification alive, whereas the guests arrive locked in a battle for survival regardless of having loved some success at this stadium in latest seasons.

Match preview

It appeared the engines have been starting to stall for Lens, one of many shock packages of this season’s Ligue 1 marketing campaign, after they dropped factors in consecutive league matches, however Thursday’s Coupe de France quarter-remaining victory over Lyon ought to restore confidence.

A number of weeks in the past Lens have been neck-and-neck with PSG on the summit of the table, however a defeat and a draw of their final two league outings have seen them lose floor and slip 4 factors behind the reigning champions, a major hole given PSG’s power and squad depth.

Pierre Sage’s facet additionally surprisingly surrendered a two-purpose lead at dwelling to AS Monaco two weeks in the past, dropping not solely the match but additionally their grip on first place within the standings.

However, final weekend’s 1-1 draw away to RC Strasbourg Alsace moved the northern French outfit onto 53 factors this season, already surpassing their complete tally from the 2024–25 marketing campaign (52) once they completed eighth, whereas Sage has additionally recorded two extra league wins (17) than his predecessor Will Still managed throughout the earlier marketing campaign because the membership chase a spot within the league section of the Champions League.

Lens have additionally been formidable on the Stade Bollaert-Delelis this season, boasting the second-finest dwelling report within the division behind PSG with 10 wins from 12 matches, and a gathering with backside membership Metz might assist prolong that spectacular run.

Despite being favourites for Sunday’s encounter, Metz claimed their first league victory of the marketing campaign towards Lens again in October with a 2-0 win, and Les Sang et Or have really gained solely considered one of their final 5 conferences with the guests, dropping three and drawing as soon as.

© Imago / PRESSE SPORTS

It would take one thing near a miracle for Metz to keep away from relegation this season, and up to date outcomes have solely bolstered that bleak outlook after Benoit Tavenot’s facet suffered their third consecutive Ligue 1 defeat final weekend at dwelling to Brest.

Les Grenats haven’t gained within the high flight since beating Nice at dwelling earlier than the November 2025 worldwide break, and they’re presently enduring the longest winless run within the division regardless of a managerial change meant to spark enchancment.

Tavenot, who changed the dismissed Stephane Le Mignan, has endured a tough begin by overseeing six league matches that produced one draw and 5 defeats, together with a 3-0 loss away to reigning champions PSG in addition to one other defeat towards fellow relegation battlers AJ Auxerre in latest weeks.

They have additionally did not win away from dwelling on this competitors since November 2 at FC Nantes, amassing only one level on the highway since that victory.

The Lorraine membership presently sit 5 factors behind Auxerre within the race for a relegation playoff spot and have misplaced a league-excessive 17 matches in Ligue 1 this season.

Metz have but to earn some extent away from dwelling this marketing campaign towards a facet presently within the high 5, though they did defeat Sunday’s opponent 2-0 at dwelling in late October.

Lens Ligue 1 kind:

Lens kind (all competitions):

Metz Ligue 1 kind:

Team News

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Lens can be with out Regis Gurtner and Samson Baidoo because of ongoing hamstring issues, whereas Jonathan Gradit is coping with a decrease-leg damage and Ruben Aguilar stays sidelined with a calf concern; fellow defender Kyllian Antonio can be unavailable due to a foot drawback and Mamadou Sangare is combating a pelvic damage.

Winter signing and former West Ham United defender Arthur Masuaku started the latest Coupe de France tie towards Olympique Lyonnais on the bench however was despatched off whereas warming up after talking to the assistant referee, who reported the incident to the match official that subsequently issued a crimson card.

For the guests, Metz will stay with out goalkeeper Pape Sy as he continues to get well from a head damage, whereas midfielder Benjamin Stambouli is ready to overlook a fourth consecutive match with a rib drawback.

Forward Joseph Mangondo continues to be sidelined with a knee damage, high scorer Gauthier Hein is anticipated to overlook a second straight sport because of an ankle concern, and midfielder Ismael Guerti might additionally stay unavailable.

Lens potential beginning lineup:

Risser; Celik, Ganiou, Sarr; Thomasson, Sangare, Abdulhamid, Udol; Thauvin, Sima, Edouard

Metz potential beginning lineup:

Fischer; Kouao, Sane, Gbamin, Colin; Ballo-Toure, A. Traore, Munongo, Tsitaishvili, Sarr; Diallo

We say: Lens 4-0 Metz

On paper this must be an easy victory for RC Lens, though it’s a fixture that has brought on them issues in latest seasons.

With Champions League qualification on the road and rivals gathering momentum within the closing weeks of the marketing campaign, Sage’s facet are anticipated to assault aggressively and may safe a convincing win on Sunday.

For information evaluation of the most certainly outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.