Strasbourg’s squad problems tested as Lens arrive in strong early-season form

Strasbourg will try to recover from their heavy opening-day defeat when they host Lens in Ligue 1 on Saturday, 29 August 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 15:15 GMT.

The home side go into the second round of fixtures after suffering a 4-0 loss at Marseille, while coach Hugo Oliveira must also cope with a depleted squad. Samir El Mourabet is suspended following his sending-off at the Velodrome, and several other first-team players are unavailable.

Those absences are expected to force Strasbourg to rely on their squad depth as they attempt to contain a Lens side that has made an impressive start to the campaign.

Filip Jørgensen is expected to start in goal, with Lucas Høgsberg, Andrew Omobamidele, Genesis Antwi and Guela Doue forming the likely defensive line.

Diogo Sousa and Pape Demba Diop are set to operate in midfield, alongside Giovanni Reyna, Sebastian Nanasi and Gessime Yassine. Sekou Mara is the probable centre-forward.

Strasbourg’s likely XI

Goalkeeper: Filip Jørgensen

Defenders: Lucas Høgsberg, Andrew Omobamidele, Genesis Antwi, Guela Doue

Midfielders: Diogo Sousa, Pape Demba Diop, Giovanni Reyna, Sebastian Nanasi, Gessime Yassine

Forward: Sekou Mara

Lens arrive in considerably better spirits after winning their first two matches. They began the season with victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Trophee des Champions before following that result with a 5-2 success against Auxerre.

Dino Toppmoller’s side will nevertheless be without Samson Baidoo and Saud Abdulhamid, who are both unavailable because of injuries. Their absence is a setback, but Lens have shown enough early-season momentum to suggest they remain well prepared for the trip to Strasbourg.

Robin Risser is expected to retain his place in goal. The likely back three consists of Ismaelo Ganiou, Maik Nawrocki and Souleymane Sagnan.

Matthieu Udol, Ruben Aguilar, Yacine Titraoui and Amadou Haidara are in line to feature in midfield, while Franjo Ivanovic, Florian Thauvin and Abdallah Sima are the predicted attacking trio.

Lens’ likely XI

Goalkeeper: Robin Risser

Defenders: Ismaelo Ganiou, Maik Nawrocki, Souleymane Sagnan

Midfielders: Matthieu Udol, Ruben Aguilar, Yacine Titraoui, Amadou Haidara

Attackers: Franjo Ivanovic, Florian Thauvin, Abdallah Sima

The fixture is Strasbourg’s second match of the French top-flight season and offers Oliveira an immediate opportunity to respond to the defeat at Marseille. Lens, meanwhile, will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten start and build on the confidence generated by their victories against Paris Saint-Germain and Auxerre.

The betting prices supplied for the match make Strasbourg 3.40 to win, with the draw available at 3.60 and Lens listed as favourites at 2.14. The source article also references 1xBet, where those odds are presented ahead of the game.