23 October 2021, 12:33 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The French Ligue 1 fixture, RC Lens vs FC Metz, kicks off at 14:00 (GMT+1) on Sunday, October 24, at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
Preview Lens Ligue 1, Oct 24, 2021
Preview Lens returns to French Ligue 1 action following last weekend’s road defeat to Montpellier. A single strike, courtesy of Montpellier’s Stephy Mavididi (48’) three minutes after the break, denied Lens a point on Matchday 10. The defeat was the second of its kind in five Ligue 1 games, WLWWL, for third-placed Lens, having picked up 18 points after 5W, 3D, & 2L. Taking a closer look at the numbers, Lens has a goal ratio of 1.6 goals per game, having scored 16 goals in 10 Ligue 1 games. At their end, they have conceded 11 goals, and thus have a goal difference of +5. That leaves Lens with an average of 1.1 goals conceded per game. Franck Haise could go with three at the back once again, as he did in the game against Montpellier, with the formation fashioned in the 3—4—3. Arnaud Kalimuendo had the luxury of playing at the heart of the attack on Matchday 10 and could be doing so once again in this game against Metz on Sunday. Seko Fofana is the club’s top scorer with three goals. On Matchday 11, he'll be looking for his fourth goal of the season. On availability, Massadio Haidara remains doubtful due to a muscle injury. With the exception of the center-back, Franck Haise will have a fully fit squad available for this game against bottom-placed Metz.
Preview Metz Ligue 1, Oct 24, 2021
Preview FC Metz remains in 18th place on the Ligue 1 table, following the 3-0 defeat to Rennes on home soil at the Stade Saint-Symphorien. Metz are left with only 6 points from 1W, 3D, & 6L and have the form: LLWLL ahead of this Matchday 11 fixture against Lens. A quick look at the numbers leaves Metz with 11 goals (an average of 1.1 goals scored per game) after 10 Ligue 1 games. However, Les Grenats have conceded 22 goals so far (an average of 2.2 goals-per-match), over the course of the current season. The haul leaves the club with a negative goal difference of -11. Following back-to-back defeats, Frédéric Antonetti will look to pick up a point in Sunday’s game when his side makes their 11th Ligue 1 appearance of the season. Frédéric Antonetti could emerge alongside Les Grenats with the 4—1—4—1 formation against Lens with Nicolas de Préville shouldering the goal-scoring responsibilities in attack. Sikou Niakaté remains doubtful while Manuel Cabit could be unavailable following a traffic incident.