26 September 2021, 12:21 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The French Ligue 1 fixture, Olympique de Marseille vs. RC Lens, kicks off at 19:45 (GMT+1) on Matchday 8, Sunday, September 26 at the Orange Vélodrome Stadium.
Preview Olympique Marseille Ligue 1, Sep 26, 2021
Preview Olympique Marseille were held to a disappointing goalless draw by Angers SCO at the Raymond Kopa Stadium. Despite having 60% of the ball, Marseille had only one shot on target after taking six shots, produced from a total of 697 delicate passes. Visibly frustrated, an animated Jorge Sampaoli gesticulated from the sidelines as Jonathan Bamba missed the one-v-one against the goalkeeper. After a few clear-cut chances at both ends, both sides eventually settled for the draw at the final whistle. The draw sits Marseille in 2nd place on the Ligue 1 table after 4W, 2D, & 0L, leaving the club unbeaten in their last five games: DWWWD. With four wins and two draws from the first six games, Marseille have made their best start to a French Ligue 1 season since 2014-15. Manager Jorge Sampaoli was left unimpressed by the draw, and hopes to pick up three points on Sunday, when his side welcomes RC Lens to the Orange Vélodrone Stadium. The 61-year-old has settled for the 3—3—3—1 formation in his last few games and could utilize the same unconventional design on Sunday against Lens with Dieng leading the attack. Veteran midfielder Dimitri Payet remains in doubt for this fixture due to a thigh injury which is further compounded by fitness issues. He remains the club's top-scorer with three goals alongside Bamba Dieng and Cengiz Under.
Preview Lens Ligue 1, Sep 26, 2021
Preview RC Lens suffered a 1-0 defeat to RC Strasbourg Alsace on Matchday 7, at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, behind closed doors. Ludovic Ajorque (67') separated both sides with a fine header from close range shortly after Lens' Kevin Danso (R. 50') was given the marching orders for an excessive challenge on a white shirt. The defeat leaves RC Lens in 4th place on the table, with 12 points while having 3W, 3D, & 1D. RC Lens have hit the back of the net 11 times this season and conceded 8 goals, which leaves the club with a goal difference of +3. Manager Frank Haise was disappointed with the result of the last match, knowing picking up three points against Marseille would prove to be a difficult task on Sunday at the Orange Vélodrone Stadium. The 50-year-old could utilize the attacking 3—4—1—2 formation, with the duo of Ignatius Ganago and Wesley Saïd leading the lines. The Frenchman would have a fully fit squad available to face Marseille on Sunday.