MX23RW : Thursday, May 2 21:36:54| >> :600:103847:103847:
[monks data]
Reims
Ligue 1 | Gameweek 6
Sep 4, 2022 at 2pm UK
Stade Auguste Delaune
Lens logo

Reims
1 - 1
Lens

Balogun (71')
Gravillon (33'), Locko (46')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Openda (82')
Medina (45'), Gradit (56')

Preview: Reims vs. Lens - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Ligue 1 clash between Reims and Lens, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Lens will try to maintain their unbeaten start to the season when they travel to Stade Auguste-Delaune to face Reims on Sunday.

The visitors, meanwhile, will be in a positive mood after recording their first victory of the season last weekend.


Match preview

Reims manager Oscar Garcia on August 7, 2022© Reuters

Reims began the 2022-23 campaign with a couple of poor defensive displays as a 4-1 thrashing by Marseille was followed by a 4-2 defeat against Clermont.

However, Oscar Garcia's side regained their composure in the next two matches with consecutive 1-1 draws setting them up to claim their first win of the season in midweek.

They looked to have thrown away two points when Angers came from two goals down to level the contest after Marshall Munetsi and Junya Ito had given Les Rouges Et Blancs a 2-0 half-time lead.

However, Folarin Balogun dispatched his spot kick in the 70th minute to restore Reims' advantage before Alexis Flips wrapped up an all-important 4-2 victory in the 90th minute.

After beating Angers on Wednesday, Reims will look to end a five-game winless home run in the league when they face Lens this weekend.

Facundo Medina in action for Lens on August 27, 2022© Reuters

Lens, meanwhile, have started the new season in impressive form, collecting 13 points from a possible 15 courtesy of four wins and a draw.

They have been clinical in the final third, scoring 14 goals this season, with five of those strikes occurring in midweek against Lorient.

Florian Sotoca and Wesley Said grabbed a goal apiece in the opening 30 minutes, but Lens were pegged back following a Terem Moffi brace.

Despite the setback, Salis Abdul Samed quickly restored Lens' lead, while Sotoca netted his second of the game and Lois Openda sealed the 5-2 win with a late strike.

As a result of their unbeaten start, Lens are level on points with Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille at the top of Ligue 1, and Franck Haise will look to maintain their lofty position when they attempt to clinch a fourth consecutive victory on Sunday.

Reims Ligue 1 form:
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • W

Lens Ligue 1 form:
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W


Team News

Lois Openda in action for Lens on August 27, 2022© Reuters

Azor Matusiwa and Rafik Guitane are set to miss out for Reims due to injury issues, while Wout Faes was sold to Leicester City on the final day of the transfer window.

Garcia could bring Martin Adeline into the side to replace Jens Cajuste who is suspended after being sent off in midweek.

Despite being dropped from the starting lineup, Balogun came off the bench to score his fourth goal of the season on Wednesday, and the Arsenal loanee is set to return to the side against Lens.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Remy Cabella and Timothy Weah due to thigh and foot injuries respectively.

Said is a doubt after he was forced off before half time against Lorient, and if the 27-year-old is not fit enough for Sunday's contest then he could be replaced by Openda in the starting lineup.

After scoring five goals this season, Sotoca will look to add to his tally when he starts up front for Lens at the weekend.

Reims possible starting lineup:
Pentz; Gravillon, Abdelhamid, Agbadou; Busi, Adeline, Munetsi, Locko; Doumbia; Balogun, Ito

Lens possible starting lineup:
Samba; Gradit, Medina, Danso; Cabot, Poreba, Abdul Samed, Machado; Costa, Openda; Sotoca


SM words green background

We say: Reims 1-3 Lens

Although Reims claimed their first victory at the weekend, we think that they will struggle against a Lens side who have won their last three matches as we believe the visitors will claim another win on Sunday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data


ID:493534:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect8960:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Reims vs Lens

Reims
10.9%
Draw
6.5%
Lens
82.6%
46
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Lionel Messi in action for Paris Saint-Germain on August 13, 2022
Read Next:
Wednesday's Ligue 1 predictions including Toulouse vs. Paris Saint-Germain
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CParis Saint-GermainPSG312010176294770
2MonacoMonaco31177758411758
3Brest31168749331656
4Lille311510645271855
5Nice31149836251151
6Lens31137114034646
7Marseille31111194738944
8Lyon31135134251-944
9Rennes31119114841742
10Toulouse311010113840-240
11Reims31117133845-740
12Montpellier HSCMontpellier31911113943-437
13StrasbourgStrasbourg3199133444-1036
14NantesNantes3195172949-2032
15Le HavreLe Havre31611143041-1129
16Metz3185183251-1929
17Lorient3168173761-2426
18Clermont31510162550-2525


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!