Lyon can go top of Ligue 1 as Lens seek home revival

Lyon can move to the top of Ligue 1 with victory at Lens on Friday, when the sides meet at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in the sixth round of the 2026-27 campaign.

Paulo Fonseca’s side are two points behind leaders Monaco, who play Toulouse on Saturday. A fourth league win for unbeaten Lyon would take them above the Principality club.

Lyon head into the match after a 4-0 victory over Rennes at Groupama Stadium. Corentin Tolisso scored and provided an assist, while Ernest Nuamah struck twice. Tolisso’s goal was his first of the season, while he is looking to add to the three goals he has helped create after sharing last season’s leading-scoring record with 11 goals.

Nuamah has contributed four goals or assists this season, with three goals and one assist. He is level with attacking right-back Zachary Athekame, who has scored twice and provided two assists.

Lyon have collected four points from two away matches, drawing a blank from Toulouse and Paris FC. They have lost only twice in their past 10 meetings with Lens in all competitions, although one of those victories came in this fixture last season, when they won 1-0.

Lens, meanwhile, will hope Yannick Cahuzac’s first home match as manager brings a change in fortunes. Cahuzac took charge in mid-September and began his tenure with a narrow 2-1 defeat.

The Sang et Or are 15th with four points from a possible 15 and have gone four Ligue 1 matches without winning. They have lost three times since beating 10-man Auxerre 5-2 on the opening day. Their current position is a sharp contrast to last season, when Lens finished second, six points behind champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Florian Thauvin has scored three times this season, but Odsonne Edouard, who scored 12 goals last term, is still waiting for his first of the campaign.

Maik Nawrocki and Abdallah Sima are out with knee and muscle injuries. Jhoanner Chavez, who has a thigh problem, and Samson Baidoo, who has a knee issue, will be assessed. Lyon could be without Moussa Niakhate after he suffered a hamstring injury on international duty, while Nicolas Tagliafico is also a doubt.

Probable line-ups

Lens: Risser; Gradit, Ganiou, Todibo; Aguilar, Cuisance, Haidara, Udol; Thauvin, Ivanovic; Edouard.

Lyon: Greif; Athekame, Bacher, Kluivert, Vinicius; Bidstrup, Morton; Nuamah, Sulc, Tolisso; Openda.

Suggested predictions

– Both teams to score and more than 2.5 goals – 1.63 – Florian Thauvin to be decisive – 1.90 – Ernest Nuamah to be decisive – 2.40

Lens’ attacking problems could hinder their attempt to respond in front of their home support. With Nuamah and Tolisso in form, and Athekame offering a threat from the right, unbeaten Lyon are backed to win away and take top spot.