Lille vs Metz Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Lille head into this one looking to push again towards the top four but they keep turning in too many average and inconsistent performances as they face Metz in the north.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Ligue 1 pass / US – beIN Sports Connect
Lille preview: Strong Lille
Under the management of Bruno Genesio, Lille have been a strong team that are pusing for a top four finish and UEFA Champions League qualification but the northerners are all too inconsistent.
The home team come into this one on the back of a thrilling 4-3 defeat to PAOK Salonika at Stade Pierre-Mauroy the other day in the league phase of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Metz preview: Bad Metz side
Following their promotion back to the top-flight last season, Metz were always expected to struggle at the start of this season and it has been a poor start with just two points collected from their opening eight matches.
The visitors do come into this one on the back of a 4-0 demolition at the hands of Toulouse at Stadium de Toulouse with goals scored by Frank Magri, Aron Donnum, Yann Gboho and Charlie Cresswell.
Lille team news: Defensive injuries
Lille are dealing with a couple of key defensive injury issues ahead of the visit of Metz as experienced centre-back Alexsandro is sidelined alongside fellow defender Ousmane Toure.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ozer; Meunier, Mbemba, Mandi, Perraud; Andre, Bouaddi; Correia, Haraldsson, Fernandez-Pardo; Giroud
Unavailable: Alexsandro (Injured), Toure (Injured)
Questionable:
Metz team news: Sane suspended
Burnley-linked centre-back Sadibou Sane is missing through suspension for Metz this weekend. They also have a few key doubts, too, as Urie-Michel Mboula is a doubt alongside attacking du Joseph Mangondo and Malick Mbaye.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Fischer; Kouao, Stambouli, Gbamin; A. Toure, Hein, Traore, F. Toure; Sabaly, Abuashvili; Diallo
Unavailable: Sane (Suspended)
Questionable: Mboula (Injured), Mangondo (Injured), Mbaye (Injured)
Lille vs Metz prediction
Lille play an enterprising and possession-based style of football whereby they are expected to almost always be on the front foot. However, they have, unusually for this season, been quite erratic at the back. Metz head to Stade Pierre-Mauroy as one of the very weakest sides in the top five leagues in European football at the moment. Lille should ease to a comfortable win.
Lille vs Metz tip: Lille to win -1 handicap
