Lille vs Lens Preview: Team News & Prediction

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One of the fiercest derbies in French football takes place at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Friday as Derby du Nord takes place between Lille and Lens.

Kick-off date/time: 30 October 2026 at 8:05 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – beIN Sports

How to watch online: UK – Ligue 1+ / USA – beIN Sports Connect

Lille preview: Stumbling Lille

Having taken a punt on the appointment of Davide Ancelotti over the summer, Lille did start this season quite well and they do remain tucked inside the top three ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures but their form has drifted in the last month or so.

Lille come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw with Monaco at Stade Louis II in their most recent outing last weekend to mean that they have now just two, against the bottom two Troyes and Le Havre, of their last eight games across all competitions.

Lens preview: In-form in Ligue 1

Lens endured a bizarre start to the campaign with a fallout leading to the departure of Dino Toppmoller last month, replaced by Yannick Cahuzac, and the latter is getting some good form going domestically.

Lens made it three wins on the bounce in France’s top-flight last weekend as they came from behind to overcome Paris FC by two goals to one at Stade Bollaert-Delelis due to goals scored by Florian Thauvin and Thorgan Hazard.

Lille team news: Nianzou suspended

Tanguy Nianzou is missing through suspension for Lille this week with some confirmed injury absentees including Japan international striker Ayase Ueda.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ozer; Goffi, Ngoy, Alexsandro, Perraud; Andre, Bentaleb; Mbappe, Haraldsson, Mukau; Diaoune

Unavailable: Nianzou (Suspended), Santos (Injured), Igamane (Injured), Ueda (Injured)

Questionable: 

Lens team news: Edouard a doubt

Former Crystal Palace striker Odsonne Edouard is now a doubt for this one after sustaining an injury last week with Jonathan Gradit working his way back to full fitness.

Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Risser; Abdulhamid, Baidoo, Todibo; Aguilar, Cuisance, Haidara, Udol; Thauvin, Sotoca; Ivanovic

Unavailable: Nawrocki (Injured), Ganiou (Injured), Sima (Injured)

Questionable: Gradit (Fitness), Edouard (Injured)

Lille vs Lens prediction

Lens have continued to underwhelm in the UEFA Champions League with back-to-back defeats against Sporting CP and then Club Brugge this month but three successive domestic wins since the international break sees them head into the derby in good form and set to put Lille under a lot of pressure and perhaps siding with the visitors remains the way to go for this one given the dip of the hosts and some questions now being asked of Ancelotti.

Lille vs Lens tip: Double chance – Lens to win or draw