MX23RW : Thursday, November 7 17:27:47| >> :600:335279:335279:
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Lens logo
Ligue 1 | Gameweek 2
Aug 25, 2024 at 2pm UK
Stade Bollaert-Delelis
Brest logo

Lens
2 - 0
Brest

Chavez (19'), Le Cardinal (45' og.)
Labeau (17'), Khusanov (83')
Machado (88')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Amavi (25'), Faivre (67'), Magnetti (67')

Preview: Lens vs. Brest - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Ligue 1 clash between Lens and Brest, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Looking to maintain their 100% record across all competitions at the start of the season, Lens will lock horns with Brest at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Ligue 1 on Sunday afternoon.

Les Sang et Or secured a narrow success on the opening weekend of the campaign, whereas Les Pirates were one of the heaviest losers last time out in the French top flight.


Match preview

Lens head coach Will Still on August 3, 2024© Imago

After collecting 51 points from 34 Ligue 1 matches during the 2023-24 term, Lens ended up finishing in seventh position, meaning that they qualified for the playoff round of this season's Conference League, where a place in the revamped League Phase is up for grabs this month.

Les Sang et Or commenced their continental adventures on Thursday night at Stade Bollaert-Delelis, where Greek giants Panathinaikos visited and returned home with their tails between their legs, with goals from Przemyslaw Frankowski and Wesley Said securing a second-leg advantage for the French side.

Looking to compete in the upper echelons of Ligue 1 this season and potentially for a Champions League spot, Lens kick-started their domestic schedule last weekend, when a first-half strike from 29-year-old Said was the only decisive moment in a meeting with relegation-threatened Angers.

After a success-laden two-year stint at Reims in Ligue 1 and plenty of interest from the English Championship, Will Still crossed French battlelines this summer to manage Les Sang et Or, who will face the 31-year-old's old employers at the start of the festive schedule on December 1.

Brest coach Eric Roy on February 4, 2024© Reuters

Placing third behind Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain and second-placed Monaco during 2023-24, Brest are waiting to find out their Champions League opponents at a glamorous draw next week, although their opening competitive fixture of the term was anything but last time out.

Tipped to challenge Les Pirates at the head of the French top flight this campaign, Marseille ran away with the contest at Stade Francis-Le Ble on August 17, when braces from former Manchester United youngster Mason Greenwood and Luis Henrique propelled the visitors to a 5-1 victory.

Having lost by a four-goal margin during the opening round of Ligue 1 fixtures, Brest currently occupy bottom spot in the top-flight standings, although it is highly unlikely that those of a red and white persuasion will be worrying about the possibility of a first relegation since 2013.

With Kamory Doumbia switching to top-tier foes Reims over the off-season, Les Pirates have since moved decisively to secure a suitable replacement as they prepare to battle on both domestic and continental fronts, with winger Abdallah Sima joining on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Lens Ligue 1 form:
  • W


Lens form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W


Brest Ligue 1 form:
  • L



Team News

Lens' Massadio Haidara celebrates scoring a disallowed goal with teammates on February 15, 2024© Reuters

Lens remain without the services of right-back Jimmy Cabot, who picked up a knee injury at the start of the month and should be back in September.

Les Sang et Or's options are also limited in the engine room, with Neil El Aynaoui failing to feature in a competitive match since a knee injury in late April.

Brest are unable to call upon the talents of Bradley Locko after he suffered an Achilles issue whilst competing for France at the Paris Olympics, meaning that the left-back could be sidelined until February.

Former Norwich City midfielder Pierre Lees-Melou is less of a serious concern, with the 31-year-old expected back next month following a leg break in May.

Playing 20 minutes in the defeat to Marseille last time out, Hiang'a Mbock is a doubt for Sunday afternoon's clash due to a groin strain.


Lens possible starting lineup:
Samba; Gradit, Danso, Medina; Aguilar, Thomasson, Mendy, Chavez, Fulgini; Sotoca, Said

Brest possible starting lineup:
Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Le Cardinal, Amavi; Martin, Camara, Pereira-Lage; Del Castillo, Le Douaron, Kante


SM words green background

We say: Lens 2-1 Brest

After success on the opening weekend of Ligue 1 and during the Conference League earlier this week, Lens should be full of confidence as they take on Brest on Sunday.

Les Pirates were woeful on home soil against Marseille last time out, and we feel that Eric Roy's side will suffer another defeat to conclude a challenging August.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


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Game History

How you voted: Lens vs Brest

Lens
81.5%
Draw
13.0%
Brest
5.6%
54
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG108202982126
2Marseille1062223121120
3MonacoMonaco10622157820
4Lille10532169718
5Nice104421991016
6Lyon104331715215
7Lens1035297214
8Reims104241615114
9StrasbourgStrasbourg103431919013
10Auxerre104151718-113
11Brest104151316-313
12Toulouse103341111012
13Rennes103251316-311
14NantesNantes102441214-210
15Angers102441116-510
16Saint-EtienneSt Etienne103161024-1410
17Le HavreLe Havre10307820-129
18Montpellier HSCMontpellier10118830-224


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