Lille will look to build on a recent upturn in form as they take on a Metz side who sit rock bottom of Ligue 1 having won none of their opening eight games.
Match News and Current Form
After going three league matches without a win (D1, L2), Lille had hoped a 2-0 victory at Nantes last weekend would serve as a turning point in their season. It still might as far as their league campaign goes, but they were dealt a harsh reality check in midweek UEFA Europa League action as they were beaten 4-3 at home by PAOK. Such a scoreline perhaps flatters Lille given they trailed 3-0 at half-time in that game, and although defeat did extend their winless home run in all competitions to three matches (D1, L2), seven wins from their last ten home league outings would hint that they’re in line to swiftly get back on track here and keep pace with their fellow top-four challengers.
It has been a difficult start to life back in the top flight for Metz, who are already at risk of being cut adrift at the bottom of the table after six losses in eight matches (D2). Stéphane Le Mignan’s men head into this round four points behind the team in 17th and on the back of a 4-0 hammering at Toulouse last weekend, their heaviest defeat since 2021/22. That campaign ultimately ended in relegation, and with the Maroons conceding the most goals (20) in the division alongside losing all four of their Ligue 1 road trips, relegation beckons once more unless they can turn things around quickly.
Head-to-Head History
Metz are winless in nine H2Hs (D3, L6), conceding at least twice in six of those games.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Lille haven’t led at half-time in any of their home league games this season (D3, L1).
Ahead of the round, Lille have scored a league-high of ten goals after the 75th minute.
Metz have faced a joint-league high 45 shots on target in Ligue 1 ahead of this round.
Metz haven’t scored a single goal in any of the four games in which they have gone 1-0 down.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Hamza Igamane netted a brace against PAOK, with his last nine strikes at club level arriving after half-time. Metz will be hoping captain Gauthier Hein is on target, as he has lost only one of the last 13 matches in which he has scored (W10, D2), albeit it was the most recent against Monaco on matchday five.
This game will come too soon for Lille defender Alexsandro. The visitors will be without Sadibou Sané after he was sent off against Toulouse, while Urie-Michel Mboula remains injured.
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Betting Analysis
It is hard to see anything other than a handsome home win here, so Lille in the -1 handicap market could carry some value.
Author: Matt Jones