Lille host Lens on Friday, 30 October, in one of the most eagerly awaited fixtures of the ninth round of Ligue 1. The home side will look to use their historical advantage in the derby to return to winning ways, but face a Lens team full of confidence after three successive league victories.
Both clubs are dealing with several absences ahead of the match, which adds uncertainty to the starting line-ups.
Lille
Lille will be without Ueda, Igamane and Santos, while Nianzou is suspended. Ngoy is expected to return to the centre of defence as the hosts attempt to contain an in-form Lens attack.
Ethan Mbappe, who scored against Monaco, is likely to be one of Lille’s main attacking threats. Olivier Giroud is also expected to lead the offensive effort for the Dogues.
The probable Lille line-up is:
Goalkeeper: Ozer
Defenders: Goffi, Nathan Ngoy, Alexsandro, Perraud
Midfielders: B. Andre, Nabil Bentaleb, Ngal’ayel Mukau
Forwards: E. Mbappe, Haraldsson, Soriba Diaoune
Lens
Lens also have a reduced squad for the derby. Nawrocki, Ganiou, Sima and Edouard are all expected to miss out, although Gradit could return to the group.
The Sang et Or will again look to captain Florian Thauvin, who has been decisive in recent weeks. Thorgan Hazard is another player Lens will rely on to provide a difference in attack.
The probable Lens line-up is:
Goalkeeper: Risser
Defenders: Aguilar, Samson Baidoo, Todibo
Midfielders: Abdulhamid, Cuisance, Amadou Haidara, Udol
Forwards: Thauvin, Sotoca, Ivanovic
The fixture will be Lille’s ninth league match of the French championship. With both sides affected by absences, the final team selections could depend on the availability of players returning from injury or suspension.
The pre-match market lists Lille at 2.40 to win, with the draw priced at 3.60 and a Lens victory at 2.75.
