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

Lens will be looking to keep their strong run of form in Ligue 1 going when they travel to Nimes for Sunday's Ligue 1 showdown.

In contrast, Nimes find themselves near the relegation places having registered one win, one draw and two losses thus far.

Match preview

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There would have been no shame in losing to a Lyon side packed with talent all across the pitch, but Nimes produced a magnificent display to keep Memphis Depay and co at bay and hold Lyon to a goalless stalemate last Friday.

Jerome Arpinon must have been fearing a third successive defeat as Nimes travelled to Les Gones, but Les Crocodiles managed to arrest their slump before a daunting run of October fixtures begins for Nimes.

Following their clash with an in-form Lens side, Arpinon's men will be taking on Montpellier, Paris Saint-Germain and Bordeaux, so barring any shock results in those fixtures, Nimes will struggle to rise further away from the dotted line heading into the final months of the year.

A total of 10 goals have been scored in two matches at the Stade des Costieres so far this season, with Les Crocodiles marching to a 4-0 victory over Brest before succumbing to a 4-2 defeat to Rennes in their most recent home game.

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In contrast, Lens have exceeded expectations following their return to the top flight after a five-year absence, and last season's Ligue 2 runners up find themselves in the top four at this early stage.

Since their opening-day defeat to Nice, Lens have recorded three straight victories over PSG, Lorient and most recently Bordeaux - who conceded their first goals of the season against Franck Haise 's men last Saturday.

Indeed, Bordeaux's resolute defence was finally breached at the fourth attempt, with Ignatius Ganago and Gael Kakuta on target for Lens before Samuel Kalu added a consolation for Les Girondins in the final minutes.

Lens are expected to tail off as the season gathers pace, but for now, Haise can be delighted with the way that his side have gone about their business in the first few weeks of the new campaign.

Nimes and Lens met once last season in the third round of the Coupe de la Ligue, and it was Les Crocodiles who eased to a 3-0 victory in that tie.

Nimes Ligue 1 form: WLLD

Lens Ligue 1 form: LWWW

Team News

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Nimes have a plethora of absentees to contend with for the showdown with Lens, with Arpinon confirming that Lucas Deaux and Moussa Kone are unlikely to be involved.

Sofiane Alakouch will also be forced to miss this one out, meaning that Gaetan Paquiez will continue to deputise at right-back.

However, Birger Meling is back and in contention to start on the opposite side of defence. Pablo Martinez and Clement Depres are still on the treatment table, however.

As for Lens, Seko Fofana returned to action off the bench against Bordeaux, but the midfielder's hamstring problem has since flared up again.

Jonathan Clauss will continue to occupy the right flank in the absence of Cheick Traore, while fellow right-back Clement Michelin is out for a few weeks with a sprained ankle.

Nimes possible starting lineup:

Reynet; Paquiez, Briancon, Landre, Meling; Cubas, Sarr; Ferhat, Benrahou, Duljevic; Ripart

Lens possible starting lineup:

Leca; Medina, Fortes, Gradit; Clauss, Doucoure, Cahuzac, Sylla; Kakuta; Sotoca, Ganago

We say: Nimes 1-2 Lens

Both sides can be proud of their performances in gameweek four and will feel equally capable of walking away from this encounter with maximum points. However, Lens are making a name for themselves at this early stage and are playing like they were never away from the top flight, and while Nimes will look to keep up their strong goalscoring form at home, we still expect Haise's men to prevail.

Top betting tip

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