Lyon travel to Metz in what will be a vital clash near the wrong end of the table to kick off the weekend’s action in Matchday 23 of Ligue 1 Uber Eats.
Olympique Lyonnais are looking to continue their remarkable turnaround in form with a fifth straight win in all competitions against an FC Metz side who haven’t won a game yet in 2024. Les Grenats come into the game off a bitter 3-0 loss against relegation rivals Montpellier, compounding a miserable run of nine games without a win.
The hosts currently sit second bottom in the table, only a point ahead of Clermont in last place, and five behind Montpellier, Lorient, and FC Nantes. With six points taken at home this season, their record at the Stade-Symphorien has been one of the worst in the top flight.
The difference couldn’t be more stark for the visitors, who have turned around their performances dramatically since last facing Metz (1-1) in November. Since the New Year, Les Gones have shot up to 11th in the table following a run of six wins in their last eight matches in Ligue 1 Uber Eats.
Pierre Sage still wants more improvement from OL
“We need to be much more in control of our performances,” admitted OL manager Pierre Sage in his pre-match press conference. “When we're leading by a goal, we sometimes let our opponents take the initiative - it's not deliberate, it's unconscious. Conversely, against Nice, when we scored at the end of the half, we created other situations; we were also capable of playing after scoring, so that was also reassuring.”
Lyon's Jake O'Brien returns from suspension, but Nicolas Tagliafico is suspended. Corentin Tolisso and Dejan Lovren will be unavailable for Les Gones whilst Johann Lepenant is expected to make a comeback in a few weeks.
Metz meanwhile are concerned with Didier Lamkel Ze's injury, and options like Ibou Sane and Benjamin Tetteh could fill in. Wingers Joel Asoro and Cheikh Sabaly may also step in alongside Georges Mikautadze whilst Kevin N'Doram and Ablie Jallow are still recovering.
Probable line-ups:
FC Metz: Oukidja; Van Den Kerkhof, Herelle, Sane, Traore, Udol; Jacques, Nduquidi; Camara; Asoro, Mikautadze
Olympique Lyonnais: Lopes; Mata, O'Brien, Caleta-Car, Maitland-Niles; Caqueret, Matic, Mangala; Nuamah, Lacazette, Benrahma
