Lens vs Strasbourg Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
These are two of the teams that are most upwardly mobile in Ligue 1 as both sides target a top four finish and UEFA Champions League qualification this season.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – beIN Sports Connect
Lens preview: Impressive Lens
Following the appointment of former Olympique Lyonnais boss Pierre Sage, Lens have been much-improved this season as they begin the return to Ligue 1 action sitting tucked inside the top three after 12 matches.
The northerners went into the break on the back of an impressive 4-1 demolition of Monaco at Stade Louis II with both Odsonne Edouard and Mo Sangare scoring either side of a Wesley Said brace.
Strasbourg preview: Silky Strasbourg
With an impressive possession-based style of football, former Hull City boss Liam Rosenior has overseen an impressive rise for Strasbourg as they sit tucked inside the top four, just three points behind Lens thus far.
The Alsace-based outfit managed an impressive victory of their own a couple of weeks ago as they defeated Lille by two goals to nil at Stade de la Meinau, courtesy of a brace of goals scored by new Netherlands international striker Emmanuel Emegha.
Lens team news: Gradit suspended
Lens have no fresh injury concerns for the visit of Strasbourg this weekend, but they are without defender Jonathan Gradit, as he is now missing through suspension for this one.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Risser; Bulatovic, Baidoo, Sarr; Aguilar, Sangare, Thomasson, Udol; Thauvin, Said; Edouard
Unavailable: Gradit (Suspended)
Questionable:
Strasbourg team news: Doukoure suspended
Strasbourg defender Ismael Doukoure remains missing through suspension for this one, whilst versatile attacker Diego Moreira is a doubt due to an ankle injury this weekend.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Penders; Hosgberg, Sarr, Chilwell; Doue, Ouattara, Barco, Nanasi; Julio Enciso, Emegha; Panichelli
Unavailable: Doukoure (Suspended), Sow (Injured)
Questionable: Diego Moreira (Injured)
Lens vs Strasbourg prediction
Lens have been very strong this season. It could be argued that Will Still re-laid some foundations last season after the departure of Lucien Faivre but Pierre Sage has helped the northerners re-emerge as one of the better sides in Ligue 1. They face a Strasbourg side, though, that will believe their slick style can also hurt the opposition on the counter-attack and so both teams scoring would appear a good bet for this one at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
Lens vs Strasbourg tip: Both teams to score
