Ligue 1 | Gameweek 11

Nov 9, 2024 at 6pm UK

Stade Bollaert-Delelis

Lensvs.Nantes

Match preview

Still made a big impact at Reims and his stock has been rising ever since. This season at Lens, the Blood and Gold went eight games unbeaten at the start.

However, things have taken a bit of a turn recently, with a few unlucky incidents contributing to their two consecutive defeats over the past two weeks.

Lille came to the Bollaert-Delelis and took all three points thanks to a late penalty, while Lens lost 1-0 to Paris Saint-Germain last week in the capital. Lens were already down a man after Abdukodir Khusanov's red card on the hour mark, which made the game pretty much over.

That means Lens are on the brink of making history. They haven't lost three Ligue 1 games in a row since they returned to the top flight in 2020. After falling four points behind in the league and into seventh, another disappointing result here could be even more costly.

Still's pragmatic approach has had some success, with five clean sheets in seven home games. However, Lens have not scored a goal at home since August and are the only club with double figures for both goals scored and conceded.

Wing-back Przemysław Frankowski is their top scorer with two goals, but he hasn't been able to make an impact in the second half of matches. In fact, Lens haven't scored in the second half of any match here this season.

There is one thing the home fans can hold on to, and that is that Nantes have been a good team to play against for Lens recently. They have won three times in a row in Ligue 1, including a 4-0 win here last season.

If Nantes don't pick up points in this one, Kombouare could be on his way out. They've only got three points from their last seven games.

Heading into September's international break earlier this season, Nantes were up near the top with seven points from their opening three matches, but they have rapidly plummeted down the standings, and are now only outside the relegation on goal difference, above Angers and Saint-Etienne.

This worrying run began with disappointing results against Reims, Angers and Saint-Etienne, which saw the Canaries take just two points, and games have only gotten tougher, with defeats to Strasbourg and Marseille not ideal preparation for this one.

Hanging onto leads has been their Achilles' heel, with nine points dropped from winning positions the highest of any team in Ligue 1.

Recent Performance

Lens Ligue 1 form:

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Nantes Ligue 1 form:

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Team News

Lens will be able to welcome Facundo Medina back from suspension, and it looks like the Argentine will take the place of Uzbek defender Khusanov, who was sent off at PSG last week.

Striker M'Bala Nzola is also suspended here due to an accumulation of yellow cards. With Wesley Said also out injured, David Pereira da Costa could be drafted in as part of a reshuffled front line.

There are a few more players on the injury list for Lens, too. Angelo Fulgini, Martin Satriano, Jimmy Cabot and Ruben Aguilar are all out for the hosts.

Nathan Zeze's late yellow card in the defeat at Strasbourg means he'll miss this game through suspension, but that won't force Kombouare's hand, as the 19-year-old was left on the bench last week.

Johann Lepenant was also booked late on in that defeat, but then he got a calf injury and missed the home loss to Marseille last time out. That means he's joined Fabien Centonze on the sidelines.

Possible starting lineups

Lens possible starting lineup:

Samba; Gradit, Danso, Medina; Frankowski, Diouf, Thomasson, Jhoanner Chavez; Pereira da Costa, Zaroury, Sotoca

Nantes possible starting lineup:

Lafont; Coco, Castelletto, Pallois, Cozza; Pedro Chirivella, Douglas Augusto; Thomas, Kadewere, Simon;Mohamed