Lens vs Lorient Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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It has been a very strong start to the season for Lens but they are reeling from the midweek as they welcome newly-promoted Lorient to Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
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: Frustrated in midweek
Following the departure of Will Still to Southampton over the summer, Lens made the impressive appointment of former Olympique Lyonnais boss Pierre Sage and the northerners have begun the Ligue 1 campaign very well.
However, after going second with a 2-1 win over Olympique de Marseille last weekend, Lens were then dealt a major blow in midweek as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to rock-bottom and still winless Metz at Stade Saint Symphorien in midweek.
Lorient preview: Progression off the pitch
Off-the-pitch, as a part of the Black Night project alongside AFC Bournemouth and Auckland, Lorient are well run off the pitch but, following their promotion to the top-flight, they do begin the weekend sitting in the bottom three.
That is despite the fact that they earned themselves a 1-1 draw against defending champions and league leaders Paris Saint-Germain at Stade du Moustoir in midweek, courtesy of a 51st minute equaliser scored by Igor Silva.
Lens team news: Fully fit
The home team can name an unchanged eleven for this one with no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues and a fully fit and available squad for this weekend.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Risser; Gradit, Baidoo, Udol; Abdulhamid, Sangare, Thomasson, Deiver Machado; Thauvin, Edouard, Sima
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Lorient team news: Several injuries
There are no fresh injury issues for Lorient this weekend but they have quite a few absentees such as Abdoulaye Faye and Newcastle United loanee Trevan Sanusi.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Mvogo; Igor Silva, Talbi, Yongwa; Mvuka, Abergel, Cadiou, Kouassi; Dermane, Pagis, Bamba
Unavailable: Adjei (Injured), Faye (Injured), Toure (Injured), Fadiga (Injured), Katseris (Injured), Sanusi (Injured)
Questionable:
Lens vs Lorient prediction
Lens have been left desperately frustrated by that loss to a very poor Metz side the other day. Had the hosts eased themselves to a predicted victory then they would have started this match day at the top-of-the-table. Instead they are outside of a congested top four as they face a Lorient side that have played better than their results suggest. Lens remain favourites but it may not be straightforward for the hosts.
Lens vs Lorient tip: Lens to win & both teams to score
