Lens vs Lorient Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Last season’s runners’ up Lens are now looking for a second win of the campaign as they come up against Lorient at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Northern France.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / USA – beIN Sports Connect
Lens preview: Entertaining Lens
Last season, Lens finished second in Ligue 1 but lost manager Pierre Sage to Crystal Palace, replaced by former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Dino Toppmoller – and he began the season with a victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Trophee des Champions.
The northerners started their season with an entertaining 5-2 demolition of Auxerre in their opener before they then succumbed to a 2-1 loss to Strasbourg in their most recent outing at Stade de la Meinau last weekend in the Alsace region.
Lorient preview: Struggling Lorient
Lorient are well-run off the pitch as a part of the multi-club ownership model that also consists of AFC Bournemouth. They have moved on from Olivier Pantaloni over the summer and he has been replaced by Alexandre Dujeux.
The former Angers boss has had a tough start to life in Lorient, though, after they shared a goalless draw with Pantaloni’s new club, Nice, before then succumbing to a 2-1 defeat to newly-promoted Troyes last week.
Lens team news: Fresh doubts
Saudi Arabia international full-back Saud Abdulhamid is now a doubt for this one alongside Odsonne Edouard, who came close to departing the club before the close of the transfer window.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Risser; Sagnan, Ganiou, Nawrocki; Hazard, Titraoui, Cuisance, Udol; Thauvin, Ivanovic; Sima
Unavailable: Baidoo (Injured), Jhoanner Chavez (Injured)
Questionable: Abdulhamid (Injured), Edouard (Injured)
Lorient team news: Nothing fresh
There are no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for Lorient to deal with this weekend as striker Mohamed Bamba works his way back to full fitness.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Mvogo; Sylla, Talbi, Adjei; Le Bris, Avom, Cadiou, Kouassi; Kone, Bernardeau; Makengo
Unavailable:
Questionable: Bamba (Injured)
Lens vs Lorient prediction
Lorient are expected to remain quite a good team to watch throughout this season. The aim, though, was to push on into the top seven or eight and the potential European spots. Home advantage for Lens should ensure they are again the dominant side here and they should come out on top with both teams scoring seeming a decent bet, as is often the case for Toppmoller sides.
Lens vs Lorient tip: Lens to win & both teams to score
