Lens aim to extend unbeaten run before Arsenal | OneFootball

RC Lens have not lost a Ligue 1 Uber Eats game in over two months, a run they are bidding to continue when they visit Clermont Foot 63 this weekend ahead of a crucial European clash with Arsenal.

Clermont Foot 63 – RC Lens Saturday at 1700 CET (1600 GMT)

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Les Sang et Or were left playing catch-up after a dreadful start to the season saw them collect a single point from their first five games. Yet the beginning of their UEFA Champions League campaign appeared to galvanise Franck Haise’s team, and they are undefeated in their last seven domestic outings, with four wins and three draws in that time.

Lens  signed off before the latest international break with a rousing 1-0 home win against Olympique de Marseille, a victory secured by a 90th-minute Jonathan Gradit goal that left them suddenly in sixth place in the table, only four points away from northern rivals LOSC Lille in fourth.

Last season’s runners-up have only managed a single victory on their travels in this campaign, though, something they will be aiming to improve upon when they visit central France to play Clermont at the Stade Gabriel-Montpied. Haise is also aware that his team have been sluggish this season when returning to action after previous international breaks.

“After the first international break of the season in September we played FC Metz, dominated the game but lost 1-0. Then we played out a rather laborious 0-0 draw with Le Havre following the international break in October. So whether in terms of the opposition or from our side, there are plenty of things we need to be wary of coming into this game,” Haise told his pre-game press conference this week.

Watch: Lens beat OM with late Gradit strike

London calling

It is a busy time in the campaign, with this trip coming just before a journey to London to play Arsenal in a Champions League clash that could be crucial in determining where they finish in their group. Lens lost 1-0 away to PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands in their last continental encounter, their only reverse in 11 matches in all competitions.

Complicating their preparations has been the absence of so many players on international duty over the last 10 days, with 12 in total away representing their countries. Among them, Brice Samba was given a start in goal for France in their 2-2 draw in Greece in Euro 2024 qualifying, while wing-back Deiver Machado helped Colombia beat Brazil in South American World Cup qualifying and Salis Abdul Samed twice played for Ghana. The latter is now set to come up against his former club this weekend.

“Deiver Machado came off at half-time against Brazil. He has inflammation around his adductor. It has been getting better since he came back, but he is out this weekend,” said Haise, who added that defender Massadio Haïdara returned ill from duty with the Malian national team.

Clermont  are in the relegation zone, above only Olympique Lyonnais, but their form has improved since a 0-0 home draw with champions Paris Saint-Germain at the end of September. That came after they had taken only one point from their first six games. Since then, Pascal Gastien’s side have picked up two wins and a draw from four outings, suffering just one defeat, a narrow 1-0 home loss to high-flying OGC Nice.

Watch: Clermont edge Lorient

Clermont’s Nicholson in form

They signed off before the international break with a precious 1-0 win at home to fellow strugglers FC Lorient, secured thanks to a second-half penalty by Jamaican forward Shamar Nicholson, his first goal since signing on loan from Spartak Moscow right at the end of the summer transfer window.

“We played well and got a good result in our last game against Lorient so that has allowed us to be a bit calmer over the last two weeks,” coach Gastien admitted. “We know there is still a long way to go and that we need to get points as quickly as possible. We are nevertheless a little bit relieved that we won that game against Lorient which was very important for us and for the rest of our season.”

Looking ahead to this weekend he added: “Lens will need points too. They are one of the best teams in the league. They are involved in the Champions League and have a little bit more quality, but we are capable of competing with them over 90 minutes, just as we have done against PSG and Monaco.”

Nicholson has been in good form over the international break – he netted three times over two legs as Jamaica beat Canada to advance to the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League. Kosovo’s Elbasan Rashani is back for Clermont after being away on international duty at the time of the Lorient game. Johan Gastien is expected to miss the game while fellow midfielder Maxime Gonalons is also a doubt.

Possible teams

Clermont: Diaw; Konaté, Pelmard, Seidu, Caufriez, Borges; Cham, Keïta, Magnin (c), Allevinah; Nicholson

Lens: Samba (c); Gradit, Danso, Medina; Águilar, Mendy, Diouf, Maouassa; Sotoca, Fulgini; Wahi

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