Lens vs Angers – News and Probable Lineups

Lens has another chance to temporarily grab the top position in Ligue 1 when they face Angers at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Friday.

A 2-1 loss to Lorient last weekend left Les Sang et Or one point shy of Paris Saint-Germain in second place, while Angers occupies 12th position after suffering a 2-0 defeat away to Nice.

Match overview

Once again, Lens was unable to apply pressure on the reigning league champions last week, as the team has been dropping points more frequently lately.

Pierre Sage has seen only one win out of the last four league encounters, narrowing their margin for error as Les Parisiens now have a game in hand over them.

With three of their next four league fixtures being at home, Lens has claimed victory in 11 of the last 12 domestic matches at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

This season, they have lost just once in their home matches when leading at half-time, with that sole defeat being a 3-2 loss to Mônaco in February.

With 56 points so far, the northern French team has two more points compared to this same point last season during their best campaign of the decade in 2022-23, finishing second with 83 points, having played four additional fixtures at that stage.

Les Sang et Or are unbeaten in their prior three home games against Angers in this competition, having won 1-0 in this exact matchup last season.

Angers continues to struggle creatively as they possess the second-lowest expected goals ratio in the league and remain in a slump.

In their last five Ligue 1 matches, this side has been unable to score in four, netting only two goals away from home in the competition this year.

One of those goals was scored in their last away game against Nantes, where they secured a 1-0 win, giving them the chance to achieve back-to-back clean sheets on the road for the second time this season.

Alexandre Dujeux’s squad could secure their 10th win of the campaign on Friday, matching their entire tally from 2024-25.

This season, they have failed to find the net in seven away matches, losing three games by a single goal.

Les Scoistes have lost their last six Ligue 1 encounters with Lens, five of them by just one goal, and will be looking to clinch their first victory at Stade Bollaert-Delelis since 2021 (3-1).

Team News

Regis Gurtner, Samson Baidoo, and joint top-scorer Wesley Said are likely to miss out for Lens due to hamstring injuries, while Jonathan Gradit is dealing with an injury to his lower leg.

Additionally, Ruben Aguilar is uncertain due to an injury, as is Allan Saint-Maximin, who is recovering from a calf issue.

If Said is ruled out, Odsonne Edouard may be called upon to step in, having scored their only goal in a losing effort against Lorient.

On the Angers side, Carlens Arcus is questionable with a sore groin, while Lens loanee Herve Koffi is anticipated to start in goal once again.

Yassin Belkhdim is eligible to return from his suspension for yellow cards, but it’s uncertain if he will be fit enough to play due to a knock.

Another player on loan from Lens, who is eager to make his mark for Angers, is Goduine Koyalipou, a Central African striker who has yet to score this season.

Lens probable starting XI:

Risser; Celik, Ganiou, Sarr; Abdulhamid, Sangare, Thomasson, Udol; Thauvin, Fofana; Edward

Angers probable starting XI:

Coffee; Courcoul, Camara, Lefort; Raolisoa, Mouton, Belkebla, van den Boomen, Djibirin; Sbai, Koyalipou

Given the formidable defense of Lens, Angers may find it challenging to create scoring opportunities, and that frustration is precisely what the home side will aim to exploit with a lineup rich in attacking talent.