Metz vs Lorient preview - Sarr resigned to Metz relegation

Metz midfielder Bouna Sarr has all but admitted defeat in his side's bid to beat the drop as they prepare to face Lorient on Saturday.

Metz, promoted as Ligue 2 champions last summer, will go into the match eight points adrift of safety with three matches left, and while it is not mathematically over, Sarr is not pretending there is much hope after back-to-back losses to Paris St Germain and Marseille.

"We're too far behind and it's almost impossible to catch up," Sarr said on beIN Sports.

Also on Saturday, Evian face Reims, a match between the two sides immediately above Metz guaranteeing that one or both of them will pick up points and increasing the likelihood that Metz will be relegated before the end of the day.

Metz began the season well, sitting in the top half of the table until November, but then suffered a complete collapse which has them on the fast track to an immediate return to Ligue 2.

"It's that bad run which caused this, those 18 matches without a win. It's very simple: We didn't take any points," Sarr said.

Saturday's match pits Metz against another struggling side, although Lorient still have plenty of hope as they sit two points clear of the drop zone, having picked up four points from their last two matches including a stunning 5-3 away win over Marseille.

"We know we have a big game at Metz where we can pull off a result," said Lorient midfielder Romain Philippoteaux. "We can't necessarily save ourselves completely, but we can make a big step."