Looking to extend their winning run in the top flight to three matches, Metz will welcome Champions League-chasing Lille to Stade Saint-Symphorien on Sunday afternoon in Ligue 1.
The Grenats secured a much-needed narrow success at the home of Le Havre last time out, whilst Les Dogues fell to an unexpected defeat away at Monaco.
Match preview
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Following three straight defeats in Ligue 1 between the middle of March and the beginning of April, Metz have handed their chances of avoiding a return to Ligue 2 a massive boost in recent weeks, recording back-to-back successes over Lens and most recently fellow strugglers Le Havre.
After a goalless first period between two sides fighting for their lives near the bottom of the standings, Les Grenats managed to breach the net of Le Havre goalkeeper Arthur Desmas courtesy of striker Georges Mikautadze, who netted his 10th Ligue 1 goal of the campaign.
Considering that the Georgia international only joined on loan from Dutch giants Ajax during the January transfer window, it is fair to say that the attacker will be a massive factor if Metz manage to avoid an immediate return to Ligue 2 after finishing second in that league last season.
Heading into the final four matches of the top-flight season, Laszlo Boloni's men are currently occupying 15th position in the Ligue 1 standings, three points ahead of 17th-placed Lorient but only one ahead of Le Havre in the relegation playoff zone.
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Since their exit from the Europa Conference League quarter-finals at the hands of Unai Emery's Aston Villa, Lille have collected three points from two Ligue 1 fixtures, meaning that their Champions League fate is still in their own hands heading into the final moments of the campaign.
That being said, Les Dogues hopes of appearing in UEFA's premier competition next term were dealt a major blow on Wednesday night, when Lille travelled to second-placed Monaco and returned home with no points following Youssouf Fofana's second-half winner for the hosts.
After a fifth-placed finish last season, Paulo Fonseca's men are sitting fourth in the Ligue 1 table as the term draws to a close, one point behind third-placed Brest, who lie in the lowest of the places that will secure an automatic spot in the Champions League league phase.
If Les Dogues fail to secure Champions League football it will be their woeful away form to blame, with Sunday's visitors winning three and collecting just 16 points from 15 Ligue 1 away matches so far this season, meaning that they rank 13th in terms of points earned on the road.
Team News
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Metz will be without the services of striker Benjamin Tetteh on Sunday, with the former Hull City marksman sidelined until early May because of a knock.
Les Grenats will also be unable to call upon the talents of ex-Arsenal youngster Joel Asoro, who picked up an injury during the loss at Monaco last time out.
As for visitors Lille, Samuel Umtiti continues to be a major miss in their backline, with the World Cup winner still recovering from a knee injury sustained in February.
Les Dogues striker Andrej Ilic broke his foot in early February and is currently targeting a brief return to action before the campaign's end.
Last featuring at the beginning of April, Adam Ounas is occupying a spot in Lille's medical room due to a troublesome calf issue.
Metz possible starting lineup:
Oukidja; Colin, Traore, Sane, Udol; Camara, N'Doram, Atta; Van den Kerkhof, Diallo; Mikautadze
Lille possible starting lineup:
Chevalier; Santos, Diakite, Ribeiro, Gudmundsson; Andre, Bouaddi; Yazici, Gomes, Cabella; David
We say: Metz 1-3 Lille
Metz have hit a purple patch of form to lift themselves out of the drop zone, but we cannot envisage Les Grenats making it three straight wins on Sunday.
Lille have no more distractions in their pursuit of Champions League football, and we feel that Les Dogues will be comfortable winners this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
