Lille desperately needs a win against Metz

Ligue 1’s Defending champion Lille is desperate for a win as they carve a path to European qualification for next season. They are still six points behind fourth-place Strasbourg for the Europa League berth while staying behind by seven points from third-place Nice who occupy the last Champions League playoff spot.

Only 14 more matches are left for Lille to challenge the top four teams and make a comeback to European competition. Facing 19th-place Metz at home could be an easy fixture to win and get their hands on all three points. Lille had slipped last week to conceding seven goals in two games until they seize that with a clean sheet win last weekend. Coach Jocelyn Gourvennec made a choice to bring in goalkeeper Leo Jardim and drop Ivo Grbic from the lineup as they face Metz with a chance to move ahead on the table.