Lens vs Nice – News and Probable Lineups

As Lens pursues their first-ever Coupe de França title, they are set to face Nice in the final at the Stade de França on Friday.

Les Sang et Or advanced to this stage by defeating Toulouse 4-1 last month, while Nice surprised Strasbourg with a 2-0 win.

Match overview

Despite narrowly missing out on the Ligue 1 title, many consider this season a remarkable success for Lens.

Pierre Sage has led the team to a second-place finish in the league for the first time since the 2022-23 season, and on Friday, he has the chance to secure their first trophy since winning Ligue 2 in the 2008-09 season.

This match will be their fourth visit to the Coupe de França final, with Lens having lost two of their previous three finals by a single goal.

In their four matches in this tournament leading up to the final, they scored a total of 16 goals while allowing six.

In domestic competitions this season, the northern French club has lost two out of three games in the French capital, near Saint-Denis, where the final will take place, with their sole victory coming against Paris FC in February (5-0).

Les Sang et Or remain unbeaten in two of their last three home matches against Nice, but they have not claimed victory away from Lens since the 2006 Ligue 1 season (2-1).

You might not notice it considering their league performance in the 2025-26 season, but Nice has achieved impressive results in this cup competition.

To reach this stage, they eliminated three Ligue 1 teams and managed to defeat Montpellier and Saint-Etienne, both of whom were top-flight teams last season.

Claude Puel’s squad is on the brink of relegation, facing a two-leg playoff against Saint-Etienne, yet they will contest the Coupe de França final for the second time this decade.

Historically, the club has won three of their five attempts at this stage but lost their only final this century at the Stade de França against Nantes in 2022 (1-0).

Nice has allowed one goal or fewer in all but one of their Coupe de França matches this season, achieving consecutive clean sheets in this tournament.

Le Gym has gone unbeaten in seven of their last eight encounters against Lens across all competitions, having previously won their only Coupe de França meeting with them back in 1954 (5-0).

Team News

A hamstring injury may sideline Regis Gurtner and Samson Baidoo for this fixture, while Jonathan Gradit is dealing with a lower leg issue and is not expected to play.

Florian Thauvin, Allan Saint-Maximin, Matthieu Udol, and Adrien Thomasson were all on the scoresheet in their convincing home victory against Toulouse to advance to the final.

For Nice, Moise Bombito is doubtful due to a lower leg concern, while Mohamed Abdelmonem and Youssouf Ndayishimiye are hampered by muscle issues, and Everton Pereira is also questionable because of an ankle injury.

Elye Wahi scored twice in the second half during their semi-final victory over Strasbourg, with Maxime Dupe only needing to save one shot for a clean sheet.

Lens probable starting XI:

Risser; Ganiou, Celik, Sarr; Aguilar, Thomasson, Bulatovic, Udol; Thauvin, Saint-Maximin; Edward

Nice probable starting XI:

Diouf; Mendy, Bah, Oppong; Clauss, Vanhoutte, Boudaoui, Samson; Cho, Diop; Revelation

It feels odd to mention, but Nice might have more pressing issues to consider than just lifting the trophy, as the threat of relegation looms large, raising questions about their focus with a two-leg playoff on the horizon.

On the other hand, Lens has demonstrated greater consistency and balance throughout the season, and it is anticipated that they will take the fight to Nice, securing a well-deserved trophy.