Preview: Lens vs. Lorient - prediction, team news, lineups

Lens will be keen to secure back-to-back Ligue 1 wins when they play host to Lorient at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Sunday.

Last time out, Lens put in a good performance to see off AS Monaco as they recorded their first league win of the season at the third time of asking.

Match preview

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It has been a solid start to the campaign for Lens, who are unbeaten in their opening three matches, notching up five points to occupy fourth place in the standings, only four points behind the summit.

For a side who were plying their trade in Ligue 2 just two years ago, Sang et Or are clearly overperforming and exceeding expectations in the French top flight as they look to establish themselves at this level.

Under the tutelage of Franck Haise, Lens finished in seventh place on their return to Ligue 1 last term, and will be looking to finish higher up this time around, perhaps even challenging for continental qualification as they are well on course to achieving this feat.

Last time out, Haise's men picked up their first three points of the season away at Monaco after putting two unanswered goals past the hosts, despite the fact that they played with a numerical handicap for over 20 minutes, with Cheick Doucoure receiving a red card on the hour mark.

Ahead of this clash, Lens boast an impressive home record having lost only one of their preceding 10 matches at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, winning three and sharing the spoils in the other six.

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Unlike the hosts who flourished on their return to the French top flight, Lorient endured a torrid spell last season, finishing up in 16th place, just two points clear of the relegation places.

This time around, they will be hoping to avoid such struggles, and are already off to a decent start to the campaign, losing only one of their opening three matches, and notching up four points to sit in 10th place.

Christophe Pelissier's men followed up a 1-0 win over AS Monaco with defeat away at Montpellier as the hosts put three goals past them, with Enzo Le Fee's effort proving nothing more than a consolation in the end.

As Montpellier ran riot in the second half, Lorient lost their cool entering the closing minutes of the game with Houboulang Mendes and Jerome Hergault given their marching orders by the referee.

When it comes to the recent head-to-head record between these two sides, Lens have the advantage, having emerged victorious in each of their previous two matches against Lorient, including an emphatic 4-1 win in April.

Team News

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After receiving his marching orders in their previous match against Monaco, Cheick Doucoure is unavailable for selection this weekend and will have to sit this one out.

Having recovered from a calf injury, Massadio Haidara is expected to return to Haise's starting XI.

With Steven Fortes remaining unavailable, the young Christopher Wooh is in contention to start in defence.

The likes of Wesley Said, Charles Boli and Mamadou Camara are currently nursing injuries and will keep their place in the recovery room.

As for Lorient, they will be without Houboulang Mendes and Jerome Hergault who were handed red cards last time out and will be missing this weekend through suspension.

Jeremy Morel and Quentin Lecoeuche are ruled out through injury and the likes of Samuel Loric, Loris Mouyokolo and Stephane Diarra are doubtful ahead of this fixture.

Lens possible starting lineup:
Leca; Gradit, Danso, Medina; Clauss, Haidara, Fofana, Machado; Kakuta; Sotoca, Ganago

Lorient possible starting lineup:
Nardi; Silva, Laporte, Fontaine, Le Goff, Monconduit; Lemoine, Abergel, Le Fee; Moffi, Lauriente

We say: Lens 2-0 Lorient

This should be a difficult game for the visiting contingent, who are missing some key players in defence, opening them up to the possibility of conceding a handful of goals.

Lens, who are unbeaten in the league so far, will fancy hitting a couple of goals past Lorient's frail backline to secure all three points.