Lens vs Lorient Preview: Prediction, Team News, Lineups
On Sunday, Lens will host Lorient in a critical Ligue 1 clash at Stade Bollaert-Delelis. This matchday 11 encounter is vital for both teams, with Lens aiming to avoid back-to-back defeats in the current season.
Match Preview
Lens recently suffered a 2-0 loss to Metz, which marked the end of their five-match unbeaten streak in the league. This defeat pushed them down to sixth place in the Ligue 1 standings. Despite this setback, Lens is still just two points behind league leaders PSG.
Playing at home provides Lens with a significant advantage. They have won their last four matches at Stade Bollaert-Delelis, and a victory on Sunday could secure their first string of four consecutive home wins since late 2023. Furthermore, Lens has shown resilience, often bouncing back after conceding the first goal, including a recent 2-1 win over Marseille.
Lorient, on the other hand, recently managed to escape the relegation zone with a 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain. Their away form, however, has been troubling, with only one point gained from their road matches this season and no away goals scored in the second half so far.
Recent Form
- Lens: Currently sixth in Ligue 1, they have shown good home form, particularly in scoring multiple goals.
- Lorient: They have struggled in away matches, needing to improve their offensive performance to secure points.
Team News
Lens made three changes to their starting lineup in their last match, bringing in Saud Abdulhamid, Deiver Machado, and Abdallah Sima. Key player Adrien Thomason co-leads the league with four assists, and top scorer Odsonne Edouard will look to score in three consecutive home games.
Lorient is facing injury concerns, with defender Isaak Toure recovering from surgery. They also have other players such as Bamba Dieng and Trevan Sanusi listed as doubtful due to injuries, which could weaken their squad for this crucial match.
Predicted Lineups
| Lens | Lorient |
|---|---|
| Risser | Mvogo |
| Gradit | Le Bris |
| Baidoo | Silva |
| Sarr | Talbi |
| Aguilar | Yongwa |
| Sangare | Kouassi |
| Thomasson | Abergel |
| Machado | Makengo |
| Thauvin | Karim |
| Edouard | Aiyegun |
| Said | Bamba |
In conclusion, Lens is expected to bounce back from their recent defeat and secure a victory against Lorient, who will seek to improve their performance on the road. The match promises to be an exciting encounter as both teams strive for valuable points in Ligue 1.