Metz vs Lille Preview: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups

Lille OSC will face FC Metz in an important Ligue 1 clash at Stade Saint-Symphorien on Friday. Both teams are eager to secure their first victories of 2026. Metz currently sits at the bottom of the league table after a 1-0 loss to Angers, while Lille finds themselves in fifth place following a similar defeat to Lyon.

Match Analysis: Metz vs Lille

FC Metz has struggled this season, accumulating a league-high 14 losses. Half of these defeats have been by a single goal, showcasing their inability to convert close matches into points. With 46 goals conceded, they have the weakest defense in Ligue 1. Recently, they have particularly struggled at home, allowing eight goals in their last two league games at Stade Saint-Symphorien.

A win for Metz could lift them off the bottom of the table, putting them ahead of both Nantes and Auxerre. Out of their 12 points this season, eight have come from home fixtures, including their last victory against Nice back in November, where they triumphed 2-1.

Lille’s Recent Performance

Lille OSC is coming off a disappointing run in the league, having lost four consecutive matches. Currently, they cling to a European spot, situated just two points ahead of both Strasbourg and Toulouse. They have fail to secure a point domestically this year, scoring only once in four games. Another defeat to Metz would mark the first time since March-April last year that they lose three straight matches as visitors.

The club previously dominated matches against newly-promoted teams, scoring 17 goals in three games. They comfortably defeated Metz 6-1 in their last encounter in October, extending their unbeaten run against them to ten matches.

Team News and Injury Updates

Metz will be without Mamadou Sy due to a head injury, and Jean-Philippe Gbamin is suspended after receiving a red card against Angers. Joseph Mangondo is also doubtful because of a knee injury.

Lille has several injury concerns, including Thomas Meunier and Osame Sahraoui, while Hamza Igamane and Ousmane Toure are out with cruciate ligament injuries. Marc-Aurele Caillard will likely miss the match due to an elbow injury, and Andre Gomes has a muscle strain. Nabil Bentaleb is questionable with an upper back issue.

Possible Lineups

Metz Potential Starting XI:

• Fischer
• Kouao
• Colin
• Yegbe
• F. Toure
• Deminguet
• Stambouli
• Traore
• Hein
• Diallo
• Tsitaishvili

Lille Potential Starting XI:

• Ozer
• Santos
• Ngoy
• Mandi
• Perraud
• Broholm
• Andre
• Bouaddi
• Correia
• Fernandez-Pardo
• Giroud

Match Prediction

Considering both teams’ recent forms, analysts predict a high-scoring game favoring Lille. A scoreline of 4-1 in favor of Lille has been suggested, given Metz’s defensive frailties and Lille’s need to rebound. The match offers an excellent opportunity for Lille to unleash their attacking potential against a struggling side.