Match Preview Metz vs Lille

Ligue 1 fixture, FC Metz vs. Lille OSC kicks off at 16:00 (GMT+1) on Sunday, the 8th of August at the Stade Saint-Symphorien.

Preview Metz Ligue 1, Aug 8, 2021

Preview FC Metz would be aiming for a point on home soil when they take on the current Ligue 1 title champions, Lille in their first appearance of the season this Sunday. Over the course of their pre-season tour, they defeated Nancy, 3-2, Troyes, 2-1, UNFP, 4-0, and Montpellier, 1-0. However, they lost to German Bundesliga side, Borussia Mönchengladbach, 1-0 and picked up a 1-1 draw against R.F.C. Seraing. The Maroons finished in 10th place last season but the objective for this season, - the 84th edition of the French Ligue 1 would be to finish inside the top-ten. Coach Frédéric Antonetti is currently on his second spell in the coaching seat for Metz but he once endured a disappointing stint at Lille between the year, 2015 and 2016. He parted ways with the club after Lille dropped to the bottom of the table, 19th place, in his second season in charge. An attacking 4—3—3 formation with the attacking trio: Yade, Ibrahima Niane and 28-year-old, Farid Boulaya appears to be on the cards for Frédéric Antonetti as he hopes to inflict defeat on his former employers.

Preview Lille Ligue 1, Aug 8, 2021

Preview Lille got off to a title-winning start with the victory over PSG last Sunday for the Trophée des Champions. A remarkable curling shot from the edge of the box from Xeka (45') found its way into the back of the net at the stroke of half-time to hand Lille their maiden Trophée des Champions title win. They punched well above their weight last season with a string of impressive results to beat PSG by a single point for their first Ligue 1 title since 2011. However, with several top sides in the league facing financial trouble after the crisis associated with broadcasting rights, it remains unknown if Lille would be able to hold on to several key players. In what appears to be an impending mass exodus from the club, Premier League side, Leicester City secured the signature of Boubakary Soumare for €20M while goalkeeper Mike Maignan joined AC Milan for €13M. Meanwhile, the likes of Jonathan David and Renato Sanches continue to attract the interest of several clubs such as Liverpool and FC Bayern Munich. Ligue 1 manager of the year (2020/21), Christophe Galtier resigned two days after guiding Lille to their first Ligue 1 title in a decade. His successor, 53-year-old Jocelyn Gourvennec has managed La Roche (2008-2010), Bordeaux (2016-2018) and Guingamp twice, - with his second spell being between 2018 and 2019. Having already lifted his first silverware for Les Dogues, Jocelyn Gourvennec will be in search of a win on his debut Ligue 1 appearance as coach of LOSC. He is expected to adopt a conventional 4—4—2 formation with Burak Yilmaz and Jonathan David leading the attack.