Lens and Lyon clash in the first Ligue 1 fixture following the international break. The hosts need a result as they bid to bounce back from a slow start to the campaign.

Cahuzac hoping to make his mark at struggling Lens

Lens were beaten 2-1 at Monaco last time out to leave last season’s runners-up in 15th place. Yannick Cahuzac recently replaced Dino Toppmöller in the dugout, and the 41-year-old is expected to make changes here.

Odsonne Édouard may come in to lead the line. The 28-year-old has only started one league game so far this term, but he netted 12 times in 29 outings during the last edition of Ligue 1. Abdallah Sima and Florian Thauvin should offer support, with Les Sang et Or still favouring a 3-4-2-1 structure.

Jhoanner Chávez, Samson Baidoo and Maik Nawrocki are all set to miss out due to injuries. Ismaëlo Ganiou, Saud Abdulhamid and Yassine Titraoui should all make the matchday squad.

Lens predicted lineup vs Lyon (3-4-2-1): Risser; Antonio, Todibo, Gradit; Aguilar, Haïdara, Cuisance, Udol; Thauvin, Sima; Édouard.

Lyon hit by Niakhaté blow

Moussa Niakhaté suffered a hamstring injury on international duty with Senegal and will miss this match. Lyon are doing well on the fitness front, although they do have one additional doubt over Nicolás Tagliafico.

Those defensive issues suggest Clinton Mata will come into the side, though other major changes are not expected after an impressive 4-0 home victory over Rennes last time out.

Zachary Athekame has been one of the standout performers for Les Gones so far this term. The 21-year-old has registered two goals and two assists from full-back in five league outings and is averaging 1.4 key passes per game.

Lyon predicted lineup vs Lens (4-3-1-2): Greif; Athekame, Bacher, Mata, Abner; Bidstrup, Morton, Tolisso; Šulc; Nuamah, Openda.

Lens vs Lyon Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Both teams to score
  • Odds: 1.444 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Lens 1-2 Lyon
  • 22Bet Booking Code: X6789

Key stats:

  • Five of the previous six Lens fixtures have seen both teams score.
  • Lens have kept just one clean sheet in eight competitive outings
  • There have been goals at each end in four of the last six Lyon matches in all competitions.

With Lens struggling near the bottom of Ligue 1, second-placed Lyon will come with a positive mentality. They have all of their attacking stars available, with their only significant selection issues surrounding defenders Niakhaté and Tagliafico.

Les Gones have netted 10 times across their opening five league fixtures, which is the joint-best record in the French top flight. With 12 goals in total across the last three games involving the hosts, backing both teams to score is a safe pick.

Lens vs Lyon Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Lyon to win
  • Odds: 2.816 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: DLU89

Four of the past five Ligue 1 meetings between these clubs have been won by the side playing away. Backing that trend to continue offers value at odds of 2.816.

Lens are looking vulnerable defensively, with 1.8 goals conceded per 90 minutes in the league so far. They’ve had three coaches already this year and have lost their way following an excellent 2025/26 campaign.

Verdict: Both teams to score (1.444) — Lens 1-2 Lyon