Metz v Lens

Metz vs Lens Preview

Metz were dealt a third league defeat on the trot in the French top flight last weekend when they were narrowly edged out in a 4-3 thriller away from home at Brest which resulted in Metz remaining in the relegation zone and second from bottom in the Ligue 1 standings, while Lens picked up a point in a 1-1 draw at home with Le Havre but this result only extended the visitors' winless run overall to three games in the domestic top flight.

Metz had previously stumbled to defeats at the hands of Reims 2-1 and a heavy 5-2 loss at home to Monaco while the bigger picture shows Metz have managed to claim just the two wins from their previous 15 games in Ligue 1 which also includes being handed no fewer than 12 defeats during this period so the prospects of the hosts picking up all three points here on Friday night do seem unlikely.

The two wins during this miserable sequence of results came in the shape of much needed wins against fellow strugglers Nantes and Clermont but these victories have been the exception rather than the rule in recent times for Laszlo Boloni's side especially at home where Metz have suffered six defeats out of their last seven games at their Stade Saint-Symphorien, but at least the hosts have scored in four of these last seven home games.

Lens have also come unstuck somewhat in the French top flight in recent weeks as the visitors have slumped to defeats at the hands of Nice and Lille in 3-1 and 2-1 losses respectively along with being held to a 1-1 draw at home by Le Havre but nevertheless, Franck Haise's side still remain in sixth place in the Ligue 1 table.

The visitors hold a three-point cushion over seventh placed Reims while all three points here on Friday night at the Stade Saint-Symphorien would see Lens leapfrog Nice into fifth spot so the visitors have plenty of incentive to go on the front foot here in Friday night's clash against lowly Metz.

However, it has been far from plain sailing for Lens in recent months in the French top flight as the visitors have managed to capture just five wins from their last 12 matches overall whilst also having to contend with being handed five defeats as well within this period.

While the straight win markets look a risky prospect for this upcoming encounter, the goals market appeals here as six of Lens' last 10 games overall have resulted with both teams scoring and having lost just twice in their previous 11 outings on the road, Lens look a good bet to score at least once.

Metz v Lens Verdict

Both Metz and Lens are expected to be highly motivated for this clash as both sides will be keen to improve their current situations at either end of the Ligue 1 table.

Therefore, our main bet will be BTTS Yes @ 1.80

Other side bets worth considering:

Draw @ 3.60

Correct Score: 1-1 @ 7.00