Metz vs Lorient Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 French Ligue 1
THE FACTS
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
When is Metz vs Lorient on and what time does it start? Metz vs Lorient will take place on Sunday 4th February, 2024 – 14:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Metz vs Lorient? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Metz vs Lorient on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Ligue 1 matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Metz vs Lorient
Where can I stream Metz vs Lorient in the UK? If Metz vs Lorient is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
METZ
Following promotion last season, Metz begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting just outside of the bottom three and the relegation zone. The hosts began the campaign quite well but their manager, Laszlo Boloni, is coming under major pressure slipping down to the bottom-half of the table, above the aforementioned bottom three on the goal difference.
The home team come into this one on the back of a 1-0 defeat away to Nice in their most recent outing, last weekend. That means they have now suffered six successive Ligue 1 matches without scoring in that time. Only fellow strugglers, Clermont, have scored fewer goals than Metz so far this season.
LORIENT
Under the management of Regis Le Bris, Lorient are under major pressure as they sit rock-bottom in the Ligue 1 table. They have managed just two victories in their 19 matches so far this season. Despite their terrible campaign and seemingly desperate for relegation, they have remained entertaining with 65 goals coming in their 19 games.
The visitors come into this one on the back of a 3-3 draw with Le Havre last week. In that game, Le Havre took the lead after 15 minutes before Lorient came from behind to lead 2-1 and then 3-2 before conceding a second-half stoppage-time equaliser from Andre Ayew, who notched a brace. They are becoming detached at the bottom-of-the-table.
THE TEAM NEWS
METZ
Both Lamine Camara and Albie Jallow have returned from the Africa Cup of Nations but Christophe Herelle does remain unavailable due to injury.
PREDICTED XI (4-1-4-1): Oukidja; Colin, Traore, Cande, Udol; N’Doram; Van Den Kerkhof, Nfingui, Jacques, Sabaly; Mikautadze
UNAVAILABLE: Herelle (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE:
LORIENT
Lorient have a few availability concerns for this weekend with Darline Yongwa and Formose Mendy away on international duty, as well as Bamba Dieng and Alfred Gomis.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Mvogo; Talbi, Laporte, Toure; Katseris, Abergel, Louza, Le Bris; Kari, Ponceau; Kroupi
UNAVAILABLE: Yongwa (International duty), Kalulu (International duty), Mendy (International duty), Dieng (International duty), Gomis (International duty), Tosin (Injured), Mendy (Injured), Boisgard (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
This is a game between two of the weakest teams in France’s top-flight that both head into this match day on the back of some terrible form. It could well be the case that these are the two teams that end up occupying the bottom two and the automatic relegation places by the end of the campaign. They, though, do generally have two very different peaks with Metz’s overall ambition for this season to be competitive in the relegation battle but Lorient finishing as a top-half team last year. Given that, as well as the form of Metz, a double chance bet in favour of the away team looks the way to go for this one.
TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – LORIENT TO WIN OR DRAW
