RC Lens vs. Metz

A key battle between two of the Top 7 teams in the French League 1. RC Lens comes off of a 3-2 loss to Red Star and will be without injured left winger Gaël Kakuta and forward Ignatius Ganago. They have a losing record (3-4-1) in their last eight home games, including 1-0 defeats to Strasbourg and Nice, two teams in the bottom half of the standings. Seventh-ranked Metz is a better defensive team (27 goals allowed in 28 matches, fourth-best in the league). They're also playing well, winning three of four, part of a 7-3-1 run in all competitions. And Metz is unbeaten (2-0-1) in the last three meetings with RC Lens not allowing a single goal. Play Metz on the moneyline.