Lens had the best home record in Ligue 1 last season and Sporting are yet to lose in the current campaign. Everything points to a close encounter in France, both teams likely to be content with a point.
Key Stats
- Lens have won 19 of their last 22 home matches.
- Lens have seen BTTS in 4 of their last 5 matches.
- Sporting CP are undefeated in their last 16 matches.
- Sporting CP have seen BTTS in their last 4 matches.
HTH
This will be the first match between Lens and Sporting CP.
Lens Dominant at Home
Lens have been inconsistent but remain strong at home, winning 19 of their previous 22 matches at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
There has been some turbulence in the managerial ranks, Dino Toppmöller sacked after just six matches and replaced by Yannick Cahuzac.
Cahuzac’s first game in charge ended in a 2-1 defeat at Monaco. They were competitive but didn’t make the most of having 12-9 shots.
The northern club are coming off a 2-1 win against Lyon. Florian Thauvin assisted Florian Sotoca and Matthieu Udol who made it 2-0, Lens holding on after Udol was sent off late on.
Sporting Yet to Lose
Sporting haven’t lost in nine games this season which included a five match winning run. They have kept only two clean sheets, conceding an alarming 10 goals.
The Lions drew twice before the international break, Gonçalo Inácio’s added time own goal seeing the contest at Famalicão end in a 1-1 draw.
Rui Borges’ side threw away another lead in a 2-2 against Arouca, unable to hold on after Zeno Debast was sent off.
Sporting returned to action with a 3-1 win at Braga. Trailing 1-0 at half-time, Borges brought his South American stars off the bench and they made a difference, Rodrigo Zalazar and Luis Suárez scoring in the come back.
Predicted Lineups & Team News
Lens (3-4-2-1) Robin Risser; Jonathan Gradit, Kyllian Antonio, Samson Baidoo; Rubén Aguilar, Michaël Cuisance, Yacine Titraoui, Matthieu Udol; Florian Thauvin, Thorgan Hazard; Franjo Ivanović
Centre-back Maik Nawrocki and Abdallah Sima are injured for this one. Matthieu Udol is suspended for the next Ligue 1 clash and is likely to start.
Sporting CP (4-3-3) Rui Silva; Iván Fresneda, Eduardo Quaresma, Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo; Silas Andersen, Sergi Altimira, Issa Doumbia; Geny Catamo, Luis Suárez, Nestory Irankunda
Nuno Santos is close to returning from injury. Expect Eduardo Quaresma to continue in central defence with Zeno Debast out.
Borges revealed why Debast missed the game in Braga: "Debast went to the Belgian national team, ended up not playing, and interrupted a period when he was improving his physical condition."
"He came back out of shape and felt some discomfort in training, but nothing to worry about. We opted not to take any risks."
Maxi Araújo and Luis Suárez should come back into the starting side in France but Rodrigo Zalazar won't feature. Borges confirmed the news: "Zalazar will definitely miss these next two games. He will also miss the game against LASK."