Metz vs Lens Prediction: Wahi to net in high-scoring affair

| 11th April |

3 mins read

Relegation-battlers Metz are hoping to end a run of three successive defeats when they face Lens in Friday's Ligue 1 clash at Stade Saint-Symphorien (20:00 BST). Les Grenats are currently sat in 17th place in their first season back in the French top flight and need to pick up points quickly if they are to boost their chances of survival.

Meanwhile, visitors Lens know a win in this one would see them leapfrog Nice into fifth place, taking them one step closer to securing another season of European football. There is still plenty to play for at both ends of the Ligue 1 table which makes for an intriguing tie as we make our Metz vs Lens predictions.

Metz vs Lens Betting Tips

Elye Wahi to score anytime @ 8/5
Lens to win and both teams to score @ 13/5

Team News

Former Hull City striker Benjamin Tetteh is unlikely to be available for Metz, with Swedish international Joel Asoro and centre-back Christophe Herelle also remaining on the sidelines.

Winger Didier Lamkel Ze is a doubt after picking up a knock and only playing the first half of Metz’s 4-3 defeat to Brest. He was replaced by Senegalese international Papa Diallo.

For Lens, while winger Jimmy Cabot is ever closer to returning from his ACL injury, the 29-year-old will still not be ready to feature in Friday’s clash.

After returning from a groin injury, left-back Deiver Machado played 11 minutes of Franck Haise’s side’s 1-1 draw against Le Havre, meaning he could return to the starting XI this time out.

Match odds

Metz face a steep task ahead of them and are priced at 7/2. Lens are clear favourites at 4/5, which implies a 55.6% win probability, while a draw is 13/5. Both teams to score is 4/5.

Elye Wahi to score anytime @ 8/5

Lens number nine Elye Wahi has 10 goals to his name so far this season and, despite Les Sang et Or having failed to win in their last three games, the 21-year-old has still found himself on the score sheet.

Although Franck Haise’s side appear to be stuttering, their poor run of form has included some tough fixtures against fourth-placed Lille and fifth-placed Nice, two sides Lens will be hoping to catch in the race for European football. But against a team towards the bottom of the table like Metz, Wahi should be confident he can continue his goal-scoring form.

Lens to win and both teams to score @ 13/5

In September, Metz managed to pull off a shock 1-0 away victory against the then-Champions League side Lens. But the early bounce of being back in the French top division has all but warn off for Laszlo Boloni’s team, who now face the threat of relegation to Ligue 2. Their recent leaky defence – conceding 11 goals in the last three games – means the chance of a clean sheet on their part is unlikely.

However, Metz remain dangerous in attack and could cause Lens some trouble, having scored six in their last three outings. This makes both teams to score odds-on but, ultimately Franck Haise’s outfit have too much still to play for and so it should be a comfortable win for the visitors.