Lille vs Lens Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Derby du Nord is one of the fiercest and most entertaining rivalries in Europe, let alone France, as Lille take on Lens at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime PPV & Ligue 1+ / US – beIN Sports Connect
Lille preview: In-form Lille
Lille have rediscovered their form after a woeful start to the calendar year and they are now beginning the weekend sitting just outside of the top four and the UEFA Champions League qualifying spots on goal difference.
The northerners managed to defeat Olympique de Marseille by two goals to one a couple of weeks ago, courtesy of a second-half turnaround with strikes from Thomas Meunier and Olivier Giroud.
Lens preview: Title challenging Lens
Lens are involved in a Ligue 1 title race as they sit a point behind defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, albeit with the Parisians having a game-in-hand after Lens stuttered just before the international break.
The visitors did manage to hammer an out of form Angers by five goals to one a couple of weeks ago. That came on the back of a run of just one victory in their previous four matches in Ligue 1.
Lille team news: A few doubts
Lille are dealing with a few doubts for this one as goalkeeper Berke Ozer is potentially sidelined alongside Tiago Santos, with Benjamin Andre, Osame Sahraoui and Gaetan Perrin trying to fight their way back, too.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Bodart; Meunier, Ngoy, Mandi, Verdonk; Bouaddi, Bentaleb; Mukau, Haraldsson, Correia; Fernandez-Pardo
Unavailable: Toure (Injured), Mbappe (Injured), Igamane (Injured)
Questionable: Ozer (Injured), Santos (Injured), Perrin (Injured), Sahraoui (Injured), Andre (Injured)
Lens team news: Several issues
There are no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for Lens to deal with this weekend but they are hoping to have both Samson Baidoo and Ruben Aguilar back to full fitness.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Risser; Celik, Ganiou, Sarr; Abdulhamid, Sangare, Thomasson, Udol; Thauvin, Sotoca; Edouard
Unavailable: Gurtner (Injured), Antonio (Injured), Gradit (Injured)
Questionable: Aguilar (Injured), Baidoo (Injured)
Lille vs Lens prediction
Lille, with their home advantage, will be expected to take the imitative and take the game to Lens up in the north of France this weekend. Lens remain in the title race themselves, though, and they have to rediscover their consistency and desperation could take over with both teams scoring seeming a good bet for this one on Saturday night.
Lille vs Lens tip: Both teams to score
