Match Preview Lens vs Lille

The French Ligue 1 fixture, RC Lens vs. Lille OSC, kicks off at 16:00 (GMT+1) on Matchday 6, Sunday, September 19, at the 38,223-capacity venue, Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

Preview Lens Ligue 1, Sep 18, 2021

Preview RC Lens picked up their second victory of the season after the 3-2 win over Bordeaux at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux on Matchday 5. A glancing header from Gaël Kakuta (39') put Lens in front before Facundo Medina (43') extended the lead in the same fashion. Despite having a two-goal deficit at the restart, Bordeaux would fight back. Ricardo Mangas (60') reduced Lens' lead to one with a vicious left footer before Jean Onana (88') levelled the scoreline from close range. But a final twist would see RC Lens awarded a penalty after a handball in the box. Florian Sotoca (90'+6) converted the following penalty to seal the win for Lens. The victory leaves the club unbeaten after five games: DDWDW, as they remain in 5th place, having picked up 9 points from 2W, 3D, & 0L. On the goal-scoring numbers, Lens have an average of 2 gpg, having scored 10 goals in five Ligue 1 games. At their end, they have conceded 7 goals, and thus have a goal difference of +3, after conceding an average of 1.4 goals per-game. A 3—4—1—2 formation is expected from Franck Haise against Lille on Matchday 6 with the duo consisting of Sotoca and Arnaud Kalimuendo in attack. At the time of this report, Ignatius Ganago remains in quarantine. However, he could be available for this match against the French champions. Meanwhile, Massadio Haidara is ruled out with a calf injury.

Preview Lille Ligue 1, Sep 18, 2021

Preview Lille will return to Ligue 1 action following the goalless draw against German side Wolfsburg in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League opener. On Matchday 5, the French champions received another blow to their title defense, having lost to Lorient, 2-1, at the Stade Yves Allainmat - Le Moustoir. Armand Laurienté (7') had put the opposition in the lead before Burak Yilmaz (25' P.) levelled the scoreline from the spot. The Nigerian, Terem Moffi (87') eventually separated both sides with a late goal. Lille now sits in 12th place, with only 5 points from 1W, 2D, and 2L (DLDWL). Having 7 goals after five Ligue 1 games leaves LOSC with an average of 1.4 goals scored per game. Les Dogues have also conceded 11 goals (2.2 g.c.p.g) so far and have a goal difference of -4. New boss Jocelyn Gourvennec will be on the hot seat on Sunday, knowing he must leave with nothing less than a win against Lens or risk the chop. An attacking 4—4—2, with Yilmaz and Jonathan David at the top of the shape is expected. A plague of thigh injuries could leave Jonathan Bamba and Timothy Weah out of this trip to the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.