Lens vs Lille Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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We have Derby du Nord taking place this weekend, which is one of the fiercest rivalries in French football, as Lens welcome Lille across to Stade Bollaert-Delelis for this one.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Ligue 1 pass / US – beIN Sports Connect
Lens preview: Sage’s Lens
Former Olympique Lyonnais boss Pierre Sage began his stint in charge of Lens boss with a 1-0 loss to the aforementioned Lyon on the opening day. Their performance was reasonable, though, and they earned back-to-back victories.
However, upon returning from the September international break with a 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes in the French capital city last weekend, courtesy of a brace scored by winger Bradley Barcola.
Lille preview: Genesio’s Lille
Former Olympique Lyonnais boss Bruno Genesio is in charge of a Lille side that have started the 2025/26 Ligue 1 season exceptionally well, with the northerners having collected ten points from their opening four matches of the campaign.
Lille come into this one on the back of a third successive victory in which they defeated Toulouse by two goals to one, courtesy of a late turnaround in which Nabil Bentaleb equalised in the 90th minute before Ethan Mbappe snatched it in the 98th minute.
Lens team news: Couple of injuries
Lens are dealing with a couple of injury issues for this one in defence, as Deiver Machado is a confirmed absentee, whilst Jhoanner Chavez is also a doubt, too.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Risser; Gradit, Baidoo, Sarr; Aguilar, Sangare, Thomasson, Udol; Thauvin, Guilavogui; Edouard
Unavailable: Deiver Machado (Injured)
Questionable: Jhoanner Chavez (Injured)
Lille team news: Haraldsson a doubt
Iceland international attacking midfielder Hakon Haraldsson is a doubt for Lille this weekend. They also have some defensive injury absentees, such as Alexsandro and Belgium international full-back Thomas Meunier.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ozer; Mandi, Ngoy, Santos, Perraud; Andre, Bouaddi; Fernandez-Pardo, Mukau, Correia; Giroud
Unavailable: Toure (Injured), Alexsandro (Injnured), Meunier (Injured)
Questionable: Haraldsson (Injured)
Lens vs Lille prediction
The Derby du Nord is often a game that breaks out into carnage both on and off the pitch. Lens will believe that they are playing well under Sage, and their defeats to Lyon and PSG will happen to everyone. Lille will believe that they should have a 100% record due to a 3-3 draw with Stade Brest on the opening day in which they were the better side. Lille have played very open football throughout this campaign and a fun watch for the neutral seems likely.
Lens vs Lille tip: Both teams to score
