Lens return to the Bollaert-Delelis on Tuesday 13 October with their European home record on the line as Sporting CP arrive for matchday two of the Champions League league phase. The French side have made their stadium a difficult stop in the competition, while Sporting bring an imposing recent record against Ligue 1 opposition — though every one of those victories came in Lisbon.
A home test after Lens halt league slide
Lens approach the continental fixture lifted by a 2-1 weekend win over Olympique Lyonnais, a result that ended a difficult spell in Ligue 1. A World Cup winner was central to that success, creating both goals.
The Bollaert-Delelis has also provided reassurance in Europe. Lens are unbeaten in six Champions League home fixtures, winning four and drawing two, and have found the net in each of their last nine matches there in the competition.
- Lens 2-2 Le Mans
- Monaco 2-1 Lens
- Lens 2-1 Lyon
Sporting, meanwhile, travelled after a 3-1 comeback victory over Braga. Rui Silva’s own goal had put the Lisbon club behind, but Zalazar and Luis Suárez led the response as Sporting turned the match around.
Sporting’s French opponents have struggled in Lisbon
The Portuguese champions have won each of their past three Champions League league-phase encounters with French clubs. They beat Lille 2-0 in 2024-25, then overcame Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain by 2-1 scorelines last season.
That sequence comes with an important qualification for the trip to northern France: Sporting’s three wins over those Ligue 1 opponents were all secured at home. The Bollaert-Delelis offers a very different setting, with Lens yet to lose there in six European nights.
Team news and possible line-ups
Lens named a side featuring Risser in goal, with Ganiou, Baidoo and Antonio across the defence. Saud Abdulhamid, Cuisance, Haidara and Udol were included in midfield areas, while Thauvin, Kadile and Ivanovic formed the attacking options.
Sporting’s published starting selection included Kaique Pereira, Iván Fresneda, Quaresma, Inácio, Maxi Araújo, Altimira, Doumbia, João Simões, Catamo, Irankunda and Luis Suárez. Fresneda and Altimira were both set to start.
- Lens: Risser; Ganiou, Baidoo, Antonio; Saud Abdulhamid, Cuisance, Haidara, Udol; Thauvin, Kadile, Ivanovic.
- Sporting: Kaique Pereira; Iván Fresneda, Quaresma, Inácio, Maxi Araújo; Altimira, Doumbia, João Simões; Catamo, Irankunda, Luis Suárez.
Earlier team information also listed Gorgelin, Ruben Aguilar, Celik, Todibo, Souleymane Sagnan, Bulatovic, Titraoui, Mezian Mesloub, Sotoca, Édouard and Skoras among the Lens options. Sporting’s initial group featured Rui Silva, Vagiannidis, Zekri, Ba, Andersen, Pedro Lima, Felicíssimo, Ioannidis, Nel, Derry, Luís Guilherme and Flávio Gonçalves.
Another Sporting update had placed Rui Silva among the substitutes, although a later listed line-up included him alongside Fresneda, Quaresma, Inácio, Araújo, Altimira, Doumbia, Catamo, Gonçalves, Irankunda and Luis Suárez.
A league-phase night with different pressures
For Lens, the task is to extend a formidable run in front of their own supporters and carry the momentum from Lyon into Europe. For Sporting, it is a chance to prove that their recent command of French rivals can travel beyond Lisbon.
The match is available live on M+ Liga de Campeones 2.
