Metz vs Lens Preview: Team News & Prediction
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It has been a very tough start to the campaign for Metz in Ligue 1 as the strugglers now welcome a Lens side looking to get themselves back into European football.
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
Metz preview: Struggling Metz
Following their promotion to the top-flight of French football once again last season, Metz have endured a very difficult start to the campaign with no victories and just two points collected in their opening nine matches.
The home team sit rock-bottom in Ligue 1 and they were annihilated at the weekend, too, as they suffered a 6-1 demolition at the hands of Lille at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in the north of France the other day.
Lens preview: European challenge
Coached by former Olympique Lyonnais boss Pierre Sage, Lens begin the tenth match day of the 2025/26 Ligue 1 campaign sitting second in the table and just a point behind defending champions Paris Saint-Germain after a strong start to the season.
The northerners head into this one on the back of an impressive 2-1 defeat of fellow high flying Olympique de Marseille at Stade Bollaert-Delelis at the weekend, courtesy of goals from Odsonne Edouard and a Benjamin Pavard own goal.
Metz team news: Fresh issues
Goalkeeper Pape Sy is now sidelined for Metz with fresh injury doubts including former Fulham left-back Fode Ballo-Toure and Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Boubacar Traore.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Fischer; TsitaishvilI, Yegbe, Gbamin, Koauo; Stambouli, Toure, Deminguet; Sabaly, Diallo, Abuashvili
Unavailable: Sy (Injured), Sane (Suspended), Mboula (Injured), Mangondo (Injured), Mbaye (Injured)
Questionable: Ballo-Toure (Injured), Traore (Injured)
Lens team news: Fully fit
Lens are blessed with a fully fit and available squad for this midweek and so Pierre Sage will be able to name an unchanged eleven against a poor Metz side.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Risser; Gradit, Baidoo, Sarr; Aguilar, Sangare, Thomasson, Udol; Thauvin, Said; Edouard
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Metz vs Lens prediction
Pierre Sage did an excellent job in charge of Lyon before harshly being sacked by the often questionable decision-making of John Textor, but it looks as though Lens are going to benefit from that decision. They face a Metz side that were always expected to struggle but this has actually been fairly humiliating with 26 goals conceded in their nine matches and another comfortable Lens victory is to be expected Stade Saint Symphorien this midweek.
Metz vs Lens tip: Lens to win
