Lens vs Sporting CP Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026-27 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
French outfit Lens continue their UEFA Champions League return with the visit of Portuguese giants Sporting CP to Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV & online: UK – TNT Sports & HBO Max / USA – Paramount+
Lens preview: Chaotic start
After a relatively bright start to the campaign, which began with a Trophee des Champions triumph against Paris Saint-Germain, a fallout has brought about a managerial change with Dino Toppmoller lasting just a few months in charge.
The former Eintracht Frankfurt boss has been replaced by Yannick Cahuzac. His reign in charge began at the weekend with Lens defeating Olympique Lyonnais by two goals to one with goals scored by Florian Sotoca and Matthieu Udol.
Sporting CP preview: Strong Sporting
Sporting CP most recently came from behind to eventually ease past Sporting Braga by three goals to one in Liga Portugal. Sporting have fallen adrift of defending champions Porto, though, sitting six points behind the 100% Dragons.
In this competition, Sporting had again come from behind to win 3-1, that time at the Estadio Jose Alvalade against Turkish giants Galatasaray – with the 3-1 scoreline perhaps even flattering the Turks.
Lens team news: A few issues
Lens are dealing with a few issues for this one as Abdallah Sima has now been ruled out with Jean-Clair Todibo and Jonathan Gradit also picking up issues, making them doubtful alongside summer signing Thorgan Hazard.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Risser; Baidoo, Ganiou, Antonio; Aguilar, Cuisance, Titraoui, Udol; Thauvin, Sotoca; Edouard
Unavailable: Nawrocki (Injured), Sima (Injured)
Questionable: Todibo (Injured), Gradit (Injured), Chavez (Fitness), Hazard (Injured)
Sporting CP team news: Close to fully fit
Sporting head to France with what appears to be more or less a fully fit and available squad. The only injury issue for them is young 18-year-old defender Moncef Zekri, albeit he did make an appearance for their B team against Vizela at the weekend.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Silva; Fresneda, Quaresma, Inacio, Araujo; Altimira, Andersen; Catamo, Zalazar, Guilherme; Suarez
Unavailable:
Questionable: Zekri (Injured)
Lens vs Sporting CP prediction
In their opener in this competition, then under Toppmoller, Lens came from behind twice to eventually dramatically defeated Slavia Prague in Czechia with second half stoppage-time strikes from Florian Thauvin and Ruben Aguilar. They will again continue to play in a proactive manner, even with the change in management, and a fun watch for the neutral seems a decent bet in Northern France.
Lens vs Sporting CP Tip: Both teams to score
