Lens vs Marseille – News and Probable Lineups

After facing a crushing defeat in the Champions League during the midweek, Lens is looking to regain composure as they prepare to host Marseille at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Sunday.

Currently, Lens occupies the ninth position in Ligue 1 after losing 1-0 to Lille last weekend, with Marseille holding a two-point lead over them in sixth place, following their 2-0 victory against Toulouse.

Match overview

Just when it seemed like Lens was finding some stability, their confidence was significantly shaken earlier this week.

Yannick Cahuzac’s team suffered a historic 9-1 defeat against Como in the Champions League on Wednesday, becoming the first side to concede that many goals in the tournament.

After such a match, their mental strength will be put to the ultimate test as they aim to avoid losing three consecutive competitive fixtures for the first time this season.

Their performance in Europe has been far from impressive, with three straight Champions League losses by an aggregate score of 14-1, although Lens has managed to secure three wins in their last four Ligue 1 matches.

Despite only scoring one domestic goal in the Champions League this season at home, they have netted nine of their total 16 Ligue 1 goals at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

Les Sang et Or have been victorious in three of their last four home league encounters with Marseille, notably coming from behind to triumph 2-1 in this matchup last season.

While Lens is still recovering from their midweek turmoil, Marseille’s spirits seem to be considerably higher.

Bruno Genesio’s squad has emerged victorious in four of their last five competitive matches, including their first win in this season’s Europa League against Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday (1-0).

This win marked their first away victory in the Europa League since 2023 at AEK Athens (2-0), and Marseille has now triumphed in three out of their last four games as visitors.

If they win on Sunday, it would be their first time in 2026 to achieve three consecutive clean sheets across competitive matches, as well as back-to-back shutouts in Ligue 1 for the first time since March.

Les Olympiens currently rank second in the league for goals per game (2.2) and average possession (55.7%), with only three points separating them from second-placed Lille.

Marseille managed to score seven goals in their last two away Ligue 1 fixtures, which is two more than their total in the preceding ten domestic games on the road prior to that.

Team News

Lens may be without Odsonne Edouard due to adductor pain, while Ismaelo Ganiou is on the mend from knee surgery. Abdallah Sima has a leg problem, Jhoanner Chavez is dealing with a thigh strain, and Maik Nawrocki is recovering from a cruciate ligament tear.

Ruben Aguilar scored their only goal in that humiliating defeat to Como, while Florian Thauvin has been involved in three goals in their last two Ligue 1 matches at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

On the other hand, Marseille is contending with Derek Cornelius’s sore hip issue, Keyliane Abdallah’s knock, and Emerson Palmieri’s knee injury.

Amine Gouiri has found the net in two consecutive competitive outings for OM, scoring the winner against Leverkusen on Thursday, and has also contributed to the goals alongside Amine Harit in their win over Toulouse.

Lens probable starting XI:

Risser; Aguilar, Baidoo, Antonio; Abdulhamid, Bulatovic, Cuisance, Udol; Thauvin, Sotoca; Hazard

Marseille probable starting XI:

De Lange; Weah, Egan-Riley, Aguerd, Garcia, Hojbjerg, Nnadi, Abdelli; Mmadi, Gouiri, Paixao

Given their heavy loss in Europe earlier this week, Lens may enter the pitch feeling somewhat shell-shocked on Sunday.

This could lead to a tentative performance from them, which may benefit Marseille, who appear to be gaining form, especially in this competition.