Lorient vs Lens Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
This is a fascinating encounter on Saturday afternoon as European chasing Lorient welcome title challenging Lens to Stade du Moustoir this weekend.
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
Lorient preview: Impressive Lorient
Following promotion to Ligue 1 last season, Lorient have been impressive this season as they begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting just six points outside of the top seven and the potential UEFA competition qualifying spots.
The home team come into this one on the back of a frustrating run of results, though, with three successive draws ahead of this one. The most recent of which saw them share a 1-1 draw with Lille at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Lens preview: Impressive Lens
Coached by former Olympique Lyonnais manager Pierre Sage, Lens have been exceptional this season and they took advantage of Paris Saint-Germain losing to Monaco last week to close the gap on the defending champions.
The visitors hammered bottom-of-the-table Metz by three goals to nil at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in the north of France last weekend, courtesy of strikes from Saud Abdulhamid, Florian Thauvin and Amadou Haidara.
Lorient team news: A few doubts
Lorient are dealing with several doubts for this one as Igor Silva works his way back after a minor groin injury alongside Isaak Toure, Bandiougou Fadiga and Trevan Sanusi.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Mvogo; Meite, Talbi, Faye; Katseris, Avom, Cadiou, Kouassi; Makengo, Dermane; Aiyegun
Unavailable: Abergel (Injured)
Questionable: Toure (Injured), Igor Silva (Injured), Fadiga (Injured), Sanusi (Injured)
Lens team news: Several injuries
New signing Allan Saint-Maximin is still sidelined for Lens alongside fellow attacker Wesley Said and defenders Samson Baidoo, Jonathan Gradit and Ruben Aguilar.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Risser; Celik, Ganiou, Sarr; Abdulhamid, Sangare, Thomasson, Udol; Thauvin, Sima; Edouard
Unavailable: Gurtner (Injured), Baidoon (Injured), Gradit (Injured), Antonio (Injured), Aguilar (Injured), Saint-Maximin (Injured), Said (Injured)
Questionable:
Lorient vs Lens prediction
Lorient play an entertaining style of football and they are effective in doing so. Their 1-1 draw with Lille means that they have suffered just one defeat inside 90 minutes in their last 18 games since a 3-0 loss to Lens in the reverse fixture. Lens have a glorious opportunity to win a domestic double this season. These are two in-form sides that will both be sending a statement victory and so both teams scoring would be a good shout for this one.
Lorient vs Lens tip: Both teams to score
