Preview: Metz hoping to surprise Lens at home

The business end of the season is upon us, and if Metz are to keep their status in the top tier, Les Grenats need results and they need them desperately soon. After suffering a narrow 4-3 defeat to high-flying Stade Brestois last weekend, Lazlo Boloni’s side sit one point off the relegation play-off position currently held by FC Lorient. Meanwhile, Lens are currently sat in 6th place, only a point off OGC Nice for the Europa League spot.

It’s been a struggle for Boloni’s men, who have narrowly missed out in six domestic encounters since the month of February by only one goal. Les Grenats have had a poor run of home form to make matters worse, losing seven out of their last eight home matches – failing to score on three occasions.

Lens missed out on an opportunity to gain some traction in the race for the UEFA Europa League in a draw (1-1) against Le Havre last weekend – Le Sang & Or failing to win for the first time in Ligue 1 Uber Eats in 2024 when scoring the opening goal. Franck Haise’s side are still searching for a European qualification by any means, sitting just three points above Reims in the final Europa Conference League qualifying spot.

Franck Haise expecting ‘extremely complicated’ match against Metz

In his pre-match press conference, Franck Haise was wary of speaking about the objectives of European qualification for Le Sang & Or. “My only objective is for us to give our best in the last six games. We still have to make an effort and suffer together,” said the Frenchman, “I want us to give everything until 18th May to achieve the best possible result for the club.”

“Clubs like Metz and Clermont will be playing for their lives. I saw the first half at Brest and they tried to impose themselves. They’ll be looking to start strongly. It’s clearly going to be a match in which we’re going to have to show a great deal of maturity.”

Metz Lens: Probable lineups

FC Metz: Oukidja ; Kouao, Traore, Cande, Udol ; Camara, Jacques, Sabaly ; Jallow, Mikautadze, Diallo

RC Lens: Samba ; Gradit, Danso, Medina ; Aguilar, Abdul Samed, Fulgini, Frankowski ; Costa ; Sotoca, Wahi