The Matchday 10 Ligue 1 clash between Metz and Lens will take place on October 29 at the Stade Saint-Symphorien. Metz vs. Lens: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Metz
After 9 rounds, every team has secured at least two victories, except for Metz. The club has yet to win a match and has only two points to its name. Moreover, Stéphane Le Mignan's side has scored the fewest goals in the league (6 goals along with Angers) and conceded the most – 26 goals. In the last three rounds, the team has suffered heavy defeats: at home to Marseille (0-3), away to Toulouse (0-4), and Lille (1-6).
- The team's winless streak in Ligue 1 has reached 9 matches – 2 draws and 7 losses.
- At least 3 goals have been scored in 6 of Metz's last 8 Ligue 1 games.
- In the last 8 home matches in the league, the club has secured only 1 win (2 draws and 5 losses).
Projected lineup for Metz (4-3-3)
Pape Si – Koffi Kouao, Terry Yegbe, Benjamin Stambouli – Alpha Toure, Giorgi Tsitaishvili, Jean-Philippe Gbamin – Giorgi Abuashvili, Cheikh Sabaly, Habib Diallo.
Defender Sadibou Sane is suspended for 3 matches.
Lens
Pierre Sage's side is unbeaten in five consecutive Ligue 1 matches. During this run, the club has claimed 4 wins and 1 draw, propelling them to a high second place. They trail league leaders PSG by just 1 point. Interestingly, in the last three league games, Lens has won by a score of 2-1: away at Auxerre, and at home against Paris and Marseille.
- At least 3 goals have been scored in 6 of the team's last 8 Ligue 1 matches.
- Lens has lost only 1 of their last 7 away games in the league (4 wins and 2 draws).
- Both teams scored in 5 of Lens's last 7 away matches in Ligue 1.
Projected lineup for Lens (3-4-3)
Roben Rosser – Samson Baidoo, Malang Sarr, Jonathan Gradit – Ruben Aguilar, Adrien Thomasson, Mamadou Sangare, Matthieu Udol – Wesley Said, Florian Thauvin, Odsonne Edouard.
Referee
Abdelatif Herradji (France)
Matches – 21 (Ligue 1, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 82;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.9;
Red cards shown – 4;
Average fouls per match – 28;
Penalties – 48%.
Metz vs. Lens: Match Prediction
The hosts of the upcoming match returned to France's top division too soon. The team is clearly unprepared for Ligue 1, as evident after a quarter of the current season's matches. Metz is significantly weaker than all their opponents, having lost 7 out of 9 games and conceded at least three goals in 6 of those matches. The visitors, who are currently fighting for the top spot in Ligue 1, will easily handle such a defense.
Lens is not particularly prolific away from home, so I am hesitant to back them with a handicap of two or more goals. However, there's a chance for a convincing victory, considering Metz concedes an average of about 3 goals in the current campaign. Additionally, Lens has lost only to the leader PSG in the last 8 rounds, and that game was away. Furthermore, the visitors have won the last two head-to-head meetings in the league.
My prediction – Lens with a handicap (-1)
