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Nicolas Gerbault
Nicolas Gerbault is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Nicolas discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team.
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It's also reunion time for Mathieu Udol, trained in Metz and who left the Grenats during the summer transfer window. Starting with the Lens jersey against his training club, the defender will experience a special moment.
Metz side: Mignan makes some changes with the entries of Fischer and Colin into the starting lineup, compared to the match against Lille. The usual executives Hein, Deminguet, Sabaly and Diallo are there.
Lens should, as always, present themselves in 3-4-2-1. Note the first starts of the season for Abdulhamid, in place of Aguilar on the right flank, and Sima in attack with Thauvin and Edouard.
There is, however, a little reason for hope for Metz who have lost only one of their last nine matches in all competitions against Lens (4d, 4n).
Scorer in the last three matches, Odsonne Edouard is proving that he can be the long-awaited effective scorer in Lens. With Florian Thauvin and Adrien Thomasson in great shape up front, the Artesian attacking trio is running at full speed.
Since the defeat against leader PSG in mid-September, Lens has established itself as the main outsider by going five matches without defeat (4v, 1d), including three consecutive victories with a score of 2-1. The latest, against Marseille, another European contender, left its mark, and it is already the second time this season that the Sang et Or have won in Ligue 1 after being behind. Pierre Sage's men therefore approach this trip with confidence because their only away defeat since the beginning of April took place against PSG (4v, 2n).
Since its return to Ligue 1, Metz has had a nightmare season. The Lorraine club has not won any of its nine matches (2d, 7d) since the start of the year. Worse still, Metz remains in seven games without a victory at home in Ligue 1 since its success against… Lens in April 2024 (2d, 5d).
Runner-up to PSG (one point), RC Lens hopes to continue its good momentum of three consecutive successes in Ligue 1, including the most recent against OM (2-1).
Red lantern in Ligue 1 with only 2 points, FC Metz conceded a third consecutive defeat last weekend, swept away by LOSC (6-1).
Hello and welcome to follow the match between FC Metz and RC Lens (kick-off at 7 p.m.).