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Ligue 1 | Gameweek 16
Dec 19, 2020 at 4pm UK
Stade Saint-Symphorien
LL

Metz
2 - 0
Lens

Nguette (30'), Boulaya (90+3')
Boulaya (49')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Sotoca (90+2')

Preview: Metz vs. Lens - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Metz vs. Lens - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Saturday's Ligue 1 clash between Metz and Lens, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Metz and Lens will both endeavour to build on hugely impressive away victories in Ligue 1 when the two sides go head-to-head at the Stade Saint-Symphorien on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts enjoyed a 2-0 victory at high-flying Montpellier last time out, while Lens trounced Monaco 3-0 on their own turf as their bright start to the season continued.


Match preview

Metz fans could certainly not have envisaged their side coming away from their encounter with Montpellier with one point yet alone three given both teams' respective runs of form.

However, Frederic Antonetti's men ripped up the form book to march to a 2-0 victory at the Stade de la Mosson on Wednesday evening, with Aaron Leya Iseka breaking the deadlock from the spot before Habib Maiga made sure of the win in injury time.

Les Grenats' midweek victory ended a five-game losing run for Antonetti's side, who have only tasted defeat twice in their last 12 top-flight matches, and Metz climbed one place above Bordeaux into 12th following Les Girondins' loss to Saint-Etienne.

Antonetti will now be tasked with ending Metz's three-game winless run on their own turf, and should Metz manage to overcome a confident Lens outfit, they could find themselves in the top half of the table depending on results elsewhere.

Lens continue to produce some incredible shocks since making their return to the big time, and like Metz, Sang et Or prevailed comfortably at the home of a European-chasing side in midweek.

Franck Haise's men condemned Monaco to their third defeat in succession with a 3-0 win at the Stade Louis II, with Issiaga Sylla, Gael Kakuta and Simon Banza all finding the back of the net against Niko Kovac's side, who had Axel Disasi sent off in the first half.

While Lens were unable to take three points from their clash with Montpellier last weekend like Metz did, a resounding triumph on Monaco's turf epitomises their exceptional start to life in the 2020-21 campaign, with Haise's men now winning their last three away matches without shipping a single goal.

Wednesday's victory saw Lens overtake Monaco and keep chase with the European hopefuls in seventh, and Sang et Or are now only two points behind fifth-placed Montpellier with a game in hand.

Metz and Lens last locked horns in the 2018-19 Ligue 2 campaign, with Les Grenats winning this fixture 2-0 before a goalless stalemate on Lens' turf.

Metz Ligue 1 form: DDLLDW

Lens Ligue 1 form: WDLWLW


Team News

Metz have no fresh injury concerns from their win over Montpellier, with Maiga shaking off a small problem to start and score in that crucial win.

Matthieu Udol, Vincent Pajot and Ibrahima Niane all occupy spots in the treatment room - with the latter unlikely to take to the pitch again this season following an ACL tear.

Antonetti will certainly be reluctant to make many alterations given the manner of his side's victory at the Stade de la Mosson, but Victorien Angban is an option for change in the middle of the park.

Lens will be able to welcome Loic Bade back to the fold after he served a suspension against Monaco, meaning that Massadio Haidara's spot in defence could be under threat.

It would be a shock to see any member of Haise's back three drop out following their performance at Monaco, though, with the visitors potentially tempted to name an unchanged starting lineup for this one.

Cheick Traore is Lens' only injured player as he continues to work his way back from an Achilles tendon rupture.

Metz possible starting lineup:
Oukidja; Centonze, Bronn, Boye, Kouyate, Delaine; Maiga, Angban, Gueye; Boulaya, Leya Iseka

Lens possible starting lineup:
Leca; Haidara, Medina, Gradit; Michelin, Doucoure, Fofana, Sylla; Kakuta; Banza, Ganago


We say: Metz 1-2 Lens

Lens' affinity for clean sheets on the road should serve them well in this game, but the visitors could struggle to keep out a Metz side who managed to overcome Montpellier on their own turf. The two teams should have a mutual respect for one another given their midweek results, but Lens have the look of a side who could push for a European berth and we expect Haise's men to eke out another away win on Saturday.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Away:data



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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Lorient16103330151533
2Paris FCParis FC1694324131131
3DunkerqueDunkerque1610152621531
4Metz1685324131129
5Annecy167632318527
6Laval167452517825
7GuingampGuingamp168172622425
8AmiensAmiens167272021-123
9Bastia1641021614222
10PauPau166461819-122
11Rodez AFRodez AF165562926320
12Grenoble165381820-218
13Troyes165381519-418
14Red Star165381628-1218
15Clermont164571419-517
16Caen164391824-615
17Ajaccio164391017-715
18Martigues162311834-269
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