Lens vs Lyon Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Lens have a new look to them this season as they prepare to take on a typically chaotic Lyon side, with Pierre Sage looking to get revenge on his former club on Lens debut.

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: New look Lens

For a second successive summer, Lens have had to change in the dugout once again, with Will Still, who replaced Nice-bound Franck Haise last year, having departed for Southampton and now having been replaced by Pierre Sage.

Sage was harshly sacked by Olympique Lyonnais and he has his work cut out a bit at Stade du Nord, with Lens lacking a bit of the quality that has made them UEFA Champions League qualifiers from Ligue 1 in the recent past.

Lyon preview: A controversial summer

Olympique Lyonnais have had as chaotic and bizarre summer as ever under the ownership of John Textor, as they began it initially administratively relegated from the top-flight, but they have since been reinstated upon appeal and are back in Ligue 1.

Pierre Sage was surprisingly sacked mid-way through the campaign, but he has been replaced by former Lille and AC Milan boss Paulo Fonseca. Fonseca remains suspended from the touchline until mid-September, though.

Lens team news: Gradit starts suspended

Lens start without defender Jonathan Gradit, as he is missing through suspension, whilst injury doubts Jhoanner Chavez and Remy Labeau are major injury doubts.

Predicted XI (3-5-2): Risser; Celik, Udol, Sarr; Aguilar, Diouf, Thomasson, Deiver Machado; Fulgini; Martin Satriano, Thauvin

Unavailable: Gradit (Suspended)

Questionable: Jhoanner Chavez (Injured), Labeau (Injured)

Lyon team news: A few issues

Much like Lens, Lyon also have a man out missing through suspension as Nemanja Matic is sidelined alongside injury issues such as Orel Mangala and Ernest Nuamah.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Descamps; Maitland-Niles, Clinton Mata, Niakhate, Tagliafico; Tolisso, Morton; Fofana, Sulc, Abner; Mikautadze

Unavailable: Mangala (Injured), Matic (Suspended), Nuamah (Injured)

Questionable: 

Lens vs Lyon prediction

Pierre Sage was harshly let go by Lyon in January and the northerners are expected to be much-improved this year with his management. Lyon are chaotic but their squad has been trimmed and that should help them, but there is a reasonable argument that, for the time being, it has actually even been trimmed too much. As a result, backing Lens on the opening day would seem like a good bet.

Lens vs Lyon tip: Lens to win