MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 16:17:52| >> :120:10896:10896:
[monks data]
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.


ID:551103:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect8326:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Lens vs Brest

Lens
81.5%
Draw
13.0%
Brest
5.6%
54
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers celebrates with the trophy after winning the Scottish Cup on May 25, 2024
Read Next:
"The board know how I feel" - Rodgers keen to keep "big-game player" at Celtic
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG12102036102632
2MonacoMonaco1282221101126
3Marseille1272327161123
4Lille115421811719
5Lyon125431916319
6Reims125342016418
7Nice1145221111017
8Lens124531312117
9Auxerre115152019116
10Toulouse124351314-115
11StrasbourgStrasbourg113442022-213
12Brest124171622-613
13Saint-EtienneSt Etienne124171125-1413
14Rennes113261318-511
15NantesNantes112451417-310
16Angers112451320-710
17Le HavreLe Havre11308823-159
18Montpellier HSCMontpellier122191132-217


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!