Ligue 1 | Gameweek 22

Feb 16, 2025 at 4.15pm UK

Stade Bollaert-Delelis

Lens vs Strasbourg

Match preview

After a promising run of three wins from their last four Ligue 1 fixtures in January, Lens began their February schedule on a sour note last Saturday afternoon, as this weekend's hosts fell to a two-goal defeat at the Allianz Riviera against an in-form Nice side.

Les Sang et Or were outclassed in both possession and chances by their opponents last time out, with goals from Gaetan Laborde and Jonathan Clauss either side of the half-time whistle leading to a routine victory for Nice in front of their home fans.

Will Still's men dropped to seventh in the Ligue 1 table following their first defeat of the month, level on points with sixth-placed Lyon and four points adrift of fourth-placed Monaco, who currently occupy the bottom two spots in the Champions League.

Lens suffered a number of high-profile departures during the winter transfer window, with defenders Abdukodir Khusanov and Kevin Danso joining Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, while striker Przemyslaw Frankowski joined Galatasaray on loan.

Despite being in contention for a European spot at the end of the campaign, Les Sang et Or have a relatively modest home record, with Still's men having won just four, drawn two and lost four of their league matches at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in 2024-25.

After back-to-back defeats to Rennes and Angers in Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France respectively, Strasbourg returned to winning ways last Sunday afternoon when they recorded a routine two-goal victory over the league's whipping boys in front of their home fans.

Dominating possession and creating chances, Le Racing scored on both sides of the half-time whistle to seal a maximum on their own turf, with top scorer Emanuel Emegha and winger Sebastian Nanasi both finding the back of the net.

Strasbourg's much-needed victory last time out lifted them to ninth in the Ligue 1 standings, just three points behind Lyon in the bottom three.

Having taken just nine of their 30 top-flight points so far in 2024-25 away from home, Liam Rosenior's side will be looking for a rare away success this weekend, with Le Racing having won just twice in 11 away matches.

Recent Performance

Lens Ligue 1 form:LWLWWL

Strasbourg Ligue 1 form:WWDWLW

Strasbourg form (all competitions):WDWLLW

Team News

Facundo Medina will be unavailable for Lens on Sunday afternoon when Strasbourg come to town after receiving a red card in their last Ligue 1 defeat.

The hosts also have injury problems to contend with, including goalkeeper Denis Petric, who remains sidelined with a back problem.

Strasbourg will be hoping for the return of Dilane Bakwa to their matchday squad after the 22-year-old last featured in January with a sprained knee.

Le Racing will be without the services of Ismael Doukoure, who has been suspended for the trip to Lens on Sunday afternoon.

Possible starting lineup

Lens possible starting lineup:

Koffi; Sotoca, Gradit, Sarr, Bah, Machado; Zaoury, El Aynaoui, Diouf; Nzola, Agbonifo

Strasbourg possible starting lineup:

Petrovic; Doue, Omobamidele, Sarr; Moreira, Diarra, Santos, Barco; Lemarechal, Emegha, Nanasi