Lens vs Lille Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 French Ligue 1
THE FACTS
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
When is Lens vs Lille on and what time does it start? Lens vs Lille will take place on Sunday 8th October, 2023 – 16:05 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Lens vs Lille? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Lens vs Lille on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Ligue 1 matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Lens vs Lille
Where can I stream Lens vs Lille in the UK? If Lens vs Lille is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
LENS
After some impressive off-field running of the club, Lens have risen from Ligue 2 and finished as runners’ up to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 all in the space of just a few seasons. They lost key players such as Seko Fofana and Lois Openda over the summer and that has meant they started this season very slowly.
However, their come from behind 2-1 defeat of Arsenal in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League in midweek means that they have now enjoyed three successive victories after enjoying back-to-back Ligue 1 wins against Toulouse and Strasbourg as they try and clamber away from the danger zone in France’s top-flight.
LILLE
Lille finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season, qualifying for the UEFA Europa Conference League but they would hope to build on that this season after the northerners were able to keep hold of the likes of Jonathan David and Angel Gomes over the summer. Under former Shakhtar Donetsk manager, Paulo Fonseca, they attempt to play an attractive, easy on the eye style of football.
They were held, though, to a frustrating goalless draw in the Faroe Islands in midweek against Faroese champions Klaksvikar Itrottarfelag in the group stages of the UEFA Europa Conference League. That irritating result does mean they have now suffered just one loss in their last six matches across all competitions.
THE TEAM NEWS
LENS
Franck Haise is missing several players, such as Massadio Haidara due to injury, and they are also missing Jonathan Gradit due to suspension this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Samba; Abdul Samed, Danso, Medina; Aguilar, Mendy, Diouf, Machado; Sotoca, Fulgini; Wahi
UNAVAILABLE: Gradit (Suspended), Haidara (Injured), Costa (Injured), Cabot (Injured), Farinez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
LILLE
There are three key injuries for Fonseca to deal with as Samuel Umtiti, Nabil Bentaleb and Adam Ounas are all out injured for their short trip to Lens.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Chevalier; Diakite, Yoro, Alexsandro, Ismaily; Andre, Gomes; Zhegrova, Cabella, Cavaleiro; David
UNAVAILABLE: Umtiti (Injured), Bentaleb (Injured), Ounas (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
The Derby du Nord is one of the fiercest rivalries in French football and these two sides will go at each other’s throats this weekend. Lens have had a major lift in their results over the last ten days or so as they try and return to what made them such a special side last season. Their arch-rivals have been difficult to beat in the last month but will also be well aware of their own fragility. Both teams scoring seems a good bet for this derby in the north of France on Sunday afternoon.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
