MX23RW : Sunday, September 18 10:34:07| >> :600:89662:89662:
[monks data]
Sep 4, 2022 at 2pm UK at Stade Auguste Delaune
Reims
1 - 1
Lens
Balogun (71')
Gravillon (33'), Locko (46')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Openda (82')
Medina (45'), Gradit (56')

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

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Ligue 1 clash between Reims and Lens, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Lens will try to maintain their unbeaten start to the season when they travel to Stade Auguste-Delaune to face Reims on Sunday.

The visitors, meanwhile, will be in a positive mood after recording their first victory of the season last weekend.


Match preview

Reims manager Oscar Garcia on August 7, 2022© Reuters

Reims began the 2022-23 campaign with a couple of poor defensive displays as a 4-1 thrashing by Marseille was followed by a 4-2 defeat against Clermont.

However, Oscar Garcia's side regained their composure in the next two matches with consecutive 1-1 draws setting them up to claim their first win of the season in midweek.

They looked to have thrown away two points when Angers came from two goals down to level the contest after Marshall Munetsi and Junya Ito had given Les Rouges Et Blancs a 2-0 half-time lead.

However, Folarin Balogun dispatched his spot kick in the 70th minute to restore Reims' advantage before Alexis Flips wrapped up an all-important 4-2 victory in the 90th minute.

After beating Angers on Wednesday, Reims will look to end a five-game winless home run in the league when they face Lens this weekend.

Facundo Medina in action for Lens on August 27, 2022© Reuters

Lens, meanwhile, have started the new season in impressive form, collecting 13 points from a possible 15 courtesy of four wins and a draw.

They have been clinical in the final third, scoring 14 goals this season, with five of those strikes occurring in midweek against Lorient.

Florian Sotoca and Wesley Said grabbed a goal apiece in the opening 30 minutes, but Lens were pegged back following a Terem Moffi brace.

Despite the setback, Salis Abdul Samed quickly restored Lens' lead, while Sotoca netted his second of the game and Lois Openda sealed the 5-2 win with a late strike.

As a result of their unbeaten start, Lens are level on points with Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille at the top of Ligue 1, and Franck Haise will look to maintain their lofty position when they attempt to clinch a fourth consecutive victory on Sunday.

Reims Ligue 1 form:
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • W

Lens Ligue 1 form:
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W


Team News

Lois Openda in action for Lens on August 27, 2022© Reuters

Azor Matusiwa and Rafik Guitane are set to miss out for Reims due to injury issues, while Wout Faes was sold to Leicester City on the final day of the transfer window.

Garcia could bring Martin Adeline into the side to replace Jens Cajuste who is suspended after being sent off in midweek.

Despite being dropped from the starting lineup, Balogun came off the bench to score his fourth goal of the season on Wednesday, and the Arsenal loanee is set to return to the side against Lens.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Remy Cabella and Timothy Weah due to thigh and foot injuries respectively.

Said is a doubt after he was forced off before half time against Lorient, and if the 27-year-old is not fit enough for Sunday's contest then he could be replaced by Openda in the starting lineup.

After scoring five goals this season, Sotoca will look to add to his tally when he starts up front for Lens at the weekend.

Reims possible starting lineup:
Pentz; Gravillon, Abdelhamid, Agbadou; Busi, Adeline, Munetsi, Locko; Doumbia; Balogun, Ito

Lens possible starting lineup:
Samba; Gradit, Medina, Danso; Cabot, Poreba, Abdul Samed, Machado; Costa, Openda; Sotoca


SM words green background

We say: Reims 1-3 Lens

Although Reims claimed their first victory at the weekend, we think that they will struggle against a Lens side who have won their last three matches as we believe the visitors will claim another win on Sunday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data

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How you voted: Reims vs Lens

Reims
10.9%
Draw
6.5%
Lens
82.6%
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Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG76102542119
2Marseille76101541119
3Lorient86111712519
4Lens7520167917
5Lyon7412169713
6Lille84131616013
7Montpellier HSCMontpellier84041915412
8Rennes7322137611
9MonacoMonaco73221012-211
10Clermont7313810-210
11Nice722358-38
12Toulouse8224913-48
13Troyes72141115-47
14Auxerre8215819-117
15NantesNantes7133811-36
16Reims71331014-46
17StrasbourgStrasbourg805369-35
18Brest7124817-95
19Angers7124818-105
20Ajaccio7016311-81

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