Lens vs Metz: A Clash of Ambitions in Ligue 1

Lens will aim to bounce back from recent setbacks when they host bottom-placed Metz at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Sunday for their matchday 25 encounter in Ligue 1. Les Sang et Or currently trail league leaders Paris Saint-Germain by four points with 10 matches remaining, keeping their UEFA Champions League qualification dreams alive. Meanwhile, Metz are locked in a desperate fight for survival, despite having enjoyed some success at this very stadium in recent seasons.

Lens: Stumbling but Still in the Hunt

Lens appeared to be hitting a rough patch after dropping points in consecutive league matches. However, Thursday’s Coupe de France quarter-final victory over Lyon should provide a significant confidence boost. Just weeks ago, Lens were level with PSG at the top of the table, but a defeat and a draw in their last two Ligue 1 outings have seen them fall behind. This is a crucial juncture, given PSG’s formidable strength and squad depth.

Pierre Sage’s side surprisingly surrendered a two-goal lead against AS Monaco, losing both the match and their hold on first place. Despite this, last weekend’s 1-1 draw away to RC Strasbourg Alsace brought their season points total to 53, surpassing their entire tally from the 2024–25 campaign (52). Sage has also secured two more league wins (17) than his predecessor, Will Still, during the previous campaign. The club is firmly focused on securing a Champions League spot.

The Stade Bollaert-Delelis has been a fortress for Lens this season, boasting the second-best home record in the division behind PSG with 10 wins from 12 matches. A meeting with the league’s bottom club presents an opportunity to extend this impressive run.

Metz: A Fight for Survival

Despite being favorites for Sunday’s encounter, Metz claimed their first league victory of the campaign against Lens back in October with a 2-0 win. However, their overall form has been dire. It would take a near-miracle for Metz to avoid relegation this season, and recent results have only reinforced that bleak outlook. Benoit Tavenot’s side suffered their third consecutive Ligue 1 defeat last weekend at home to Brest.

Les Grenats haven’t secured a top-flight win since beating Nice before the November 2025 international break, enduring the longest winless run in the division despite a managerial change. Tavenot, who replaced Stephane Le Mignan, has overseen six league matches resulting in one draw and five defeats. They’ve also failed to win away from home since November 2nd at FC Nantes, collecting just one point on the road since then.

Metz currently sit five points behind Auxerre in the relegation playoff spot and have lost a league-high 17 matches in Ligue 1 this season. They haven’t earned a point away from home against a team currently in the top five.

Team News

Lens will be without Regis Gurtner and Samson Baidoo due to hamstring injuries. Jonathan Gradit is dealing with a lower-leg injury, and Ruben Aguilar remains sidelined with a calf issue. Kyllian Antonio is unavailable due to a foot problem, and Mamadou Sangare is struggling with a pelvic injury. Arthur Masuaku received a red card while warming up in the recent Coupe de France tie against Lyon.

For Metz, Pape Sy remains sidelined with a head injury, and Benjamin Stambouli is set to miss a fourth consecutive match with a rib problem. Joseph Mangondo is still recovering from a knee injury, Gauthier Hein is expected to miss another game due to an ankle issue, and Ismael Guerti could also remain unavailable.

Possible Starting Lineups

Lens: Risser; Celik, Ganiou, Sarr; Thomasson, Sangare, Abdulhamid, Udol; Thauvin, Sima, Edouard

Metz: Fischer; Kouao, Sane, Gbamin, Colin; Ballo-Toure, A. Traore, Munongo, Tsitaishvili, Sarr; Diallo

Prediction

On paper, this should be a comfortable victory for RC Lens, although it’s a fixture that has proven challenging for them in recent seasons. With Champions League qualification on the line and rivals gaining momentum, Sage’s side is expected to attack aggressively and secure a convincing win on Sunday. For more in-depth analysis, check out WhoScored.com.

Written by Nsidibe Akpan