Saturday evening will see Lens welcome Marseille to the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in one of the standout games in Ligue 1 this weekend.
The two clubs have met 100 times in Ligue 1 previously, with Lens just one behind Marseille in terms of wins in the fixture - 39 to 40.
Match preview
© Imago
After starting the season eight games unbeaten under Will Still, Lens were given a shock when they suffered back-to-back defeats to Lille and PSG.
In fairness, the Blood and Gold were very unfortunate against Lille, and not many teams take anything off PSG, so both results were forgiven, especially when they bounced back just before the international break with a dramatic 3-2 win over Nantes.
Lens entered the final four minutes 2-1 down, but goals from Hamzat Ojediran and Adrien Thomasson turned the tables in quick succession, handing them a vital three points in their push for the top four, with Still's men now just two points behind Lille.
It was rare for this Lens team to be involved in such drama, considering they had scored just nine and conceded only seven in their opening 10 games of the season.
Nantes' two goals means Lens have now conceded four in their last two home games, more than the amount they gave up in the seven home games prior, and facing a free-scoring Marseille side next suggests they may struggle to keep them out again.
Lens have enjoyed the visits of l'OM in recent times though, as they enter this fixture having won the last two meetings here at the Bollaert-Delelis, and another success would see them secure three straight wins for the first time since the 1980s.
Marseille will be glad to be back on the road though, as they suffered another woeful home result just before the break, losing 3-1 to Auxerre at the Velodrome, in a game where they trailed by three at the interval.
© Imago
Only Angers have a worse home record than Roberto De Zerbi's men, taking a mere five points from five games so far, and the Italian manager bizarrely stated he would be happy to resign after the surprise defeat.
Sitting third after 11 games though, the Marseille board have said they still have faith in De Zerbi, even though they are now nine points adrift of Paris Saint-Germain.
That defeat has also brought Lille, Lyon, Reims and upcoming opponents Lens to within touching distance of them though, and another defeat could see them relinquish their spot in the top four.
Marseille's away form suggests that is unlikely though, because they have the best record on the road in the division, having taken 15 points from their six games.
Only Barcelona have won more on their travels in Europe's top-five leagues so far this season, and with six wins in their last seven Ligue 1 away matches, that is a remarkable change in fortunes considering OM won just three of the previous 21 prior to this run.
Extending that excellent away record will be important considering that Marseille have a very tricky run to finish 2024, starting with this trip Lens, before facing Monaco and Lille too.
Team News
© Imago
Defensive availability issues are crippling Lens at present, and they have only been added to since their last outing, with Abdukodir Khusanov and Jonathan Gradit now suspended.
Facundo Medina and Jhoanner Chavez face long trips back from South America, while Przemyslaw Frankowski missed Poland duty, and could join Ruben Aguilar on the sidelines here.
Martin Satriano and Wesley Said remain out in attack, but the hosts will be able to welcome M'Bala Nzola back from suspension at least.
Marseille also face the prospect of welcoming players back from international duty late, because Geronimo Rulli and Leonardo Balerdi were with Argentina and Ismael Kone was in the Canada squad for their games in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Fellow Canadian Derek Cornelius missed the break with a chest injury, and is set to miss out with Amine Harit, while Faris Moumbagna and Valentin Carboni are long-term absentees.
Adrien Rabiot did not have to trek too far for his international escapades, and the Marseille midfielder was in fine form for France, scoring a brace against Italy on Sunday, becoming the first player to score two headers in one game for Les Bleus since Zinedine Zidane in the 1998 World Cup final.
Lens possible starting lineup:
Samba; Sarr, Danso, Medina; Chavez, El Aynaoui, Thomasson, Machado; Pereira da Costa, Nzola, Diouf
Marseille possible starting lineup:
Rulli; Lirola, Balerdi, Kondogbia, Merlin; Rabiot, Hojbjerg; Greenwood, Luis Henrique, Rowe; Wahi
We say: Lens 1-2 Marseille
Lens have not looked the most convincing in recent weeks, falling to consecutive defeats and only getting over the line very late against Nantes.
The home side's defence has looked less secure recently with many absentees, and a potent Marseille attack that has loved playing away from home this season could take advantage.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
