Lens vs Metz Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 French Ligue 1
THE FACTS
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
When is Lens vs Metz on and what time does it start? Lens vs Metz will take place on Saturday 16th September, 2023 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Lens vs Metz? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Lens vs Metz on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Ligue 1 matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Lens vs Metz
Where can I stream Lens vs Metz in the UK? If Lens vs Metz is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
LENS
Since returning back to the French top-flight a couple of seasons ago, Lens have over achieved season upon season and reached their likely ceiling last year by finishing second and qualifying automatically for the UEFA Champions League group stages. They have had a frustrating summer, though, losing captain Seko Fofana to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, as well as key striker Lois Openda to RB Leipzig.
Lens began this season with a 3-2 loss away to Stade Brest in which they had led by two goals to nil before sharing a draw with Rennes in their opening home match of the campaign. Since then they, under the management of Franck Haise, have been comfortably beaten by both Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco as they currently languish in the bottom two and the automatic relegation places ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures.
METZ
FC Metz gained promotion to the French top-flight in controversial circumstances, finishing second in the table under the management of Laszlo Boloni. They have scoured the European market for bargains throughout the summer and Amara Diouf, a 15 year-old winger for Generation Foot who made his Senegalese international debut during the break, will be joining the club in the summer of 2024.
The newly-promoted ‘Les Graoullys’ come into this on the back a promising start to the season but they do remain one of the strong favourites for an immediate return to Ligue 2. They started by being thrashed by five goals to one against Rennes before collecting five points from their next three matches against Marseille, Clermont and Reims.
THE TEAM NEWS
LENS
Franck Haise is without several key players after a difficult summer with the likes of Ruben Aguilar and Przemyslaw Frankowski both unavailable for this one due to injury.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Samba; Gradit, Danso, Medina; Sotoca, Abdul Samed, Spierings, Haidara; Thomasson, Fulgini; Wahi
UNAVAILABLE: El Aynaoui (Suspended), Frankowski (Injured), Aguilar (Injured), Cabot (Injured), Farinez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
METZ
Summer signings Maxine Colin and Benjamin Tetteh are among a group of several players who are unavailable for Metz this weekend as Laszlo Boloni looks set to make changes.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Oukidja; Kouao, Sane, Cande, Udol; N’Doram, Jacques; Asoro, Camara, Sabaly; Elisor
UNAVAILABLE: Lo (Suspended), Traore (Injured), Colin (Injured), Mbaye (Injured), Tetteh (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Quite simply, this one shouldn’t really be a close contest. Lens were magnificent last season and have still been able to bring in some interesting signings as they build for a return to the UEFA Champions League. However, they have endured a really difficult start to the 2023/24 Ligue 1 campaign. They face a Metz side that, following promotion, have been impressive and overperformed so far this season. Despite that, Lens should win this one quite comfortably and get off the mark, especially at home.
TIP: LENS TO WIN
