Lens return to the Bollaert-Delelis for a Champions League night with the chance to make it two wins from two, as Sporting CP arrive in northern France carrying momentum of their own. The hosts’ comeback victory at Slavia Prague opened their league-phase campaign in emphatic fashion; now, backed by a stadium hearing the competition anthem again after two years, they aim to strengthen their early push towards the top 24.
Key takeaways
- Lens host Sporting CP at 18:45 at the Bollaert-Delelis, with Igor Pajac appointed referee.
- The French side began their Champions League campaign by overturning Slavia Prague away from home.
- Sporting defeated Galatasaray in their opening European fixture.
- Lens beat Lyon last Friday, while Sporting won 3-1 away at Braga over the weekend.
- Florian Thauvin has been among Ligue 1’s standout performers during the early weeks of the season.
A renewed European stage in Lens
The first Champions League occasion at the Bollaert-Delelis for two years comes at an encouraging moment for Lens. Their domestic win over Lyon added to the confidence generated by the fightback in Prague, and another European success would leave them with a perfect start in the league phase.
That matters in a format where consistency across the eight-match schedule is vital. Lens are looking to build steadily towards a place among the 24 sides that progress, with the home atmosphere expected to be a significant factor against a Sporting team accustomed to competing aggressively on major nights.
Thauvin will again be central to the French club’s attacking ambitions. His early-season form has made him one of the leading figures in Ligue 1, and Lens will look to him to impose himself in the spaces around Sporting’s midfield and defence.
Sporting arrive with confidence
Rui Borges’ side travel to France after a strong sequence of results. Having overcome Galatasaray in their Champions League opener, Sporting followed up with a 3-1 victory against Braga, giving them reason to believe they can handle the demanding trip to Lens.
The Portuguese visitors must nevertheless contend with the intensity of Bollaert-Delelis, where the crowd will seek to turn the first home European fixture of the campaign into a difficult examination from the opening minutes.
The listed Lens side is: Risser; Aguilar, Ganiou, Baidoo, Antonio, Udol; Titraoui, Cuisance; Sima, Edouard, Thauvin.
Sporting’s listed team is: R. Silva; Fresneda, Quaresma, Inacio, Araujo; Altimira, Doumbia; Catamo, Goncalves, Irankunda; Luis Suárez.
