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

The visitors finally picked up their first win of the season last weekend, while the hosts secured their third victory in six games.

Match preview

It is fair to say that Strasbourg have made an impressive start to life under Patrick Vieira, as the Alsace outfit have taken 10 points from a possible 18 to remain within touching distance of the early frontrunners in the French top flight.

In fact, Le Racing find themselves sixth in the Ligue 1 table - three points shy of leaders Brest and six points clear of Lens - having won three of their six outings this term, and they head into Friday's showdown on a two-game unbeaten streak.

Following a 2-1 victory over Lyon and a 2-0 win against Toulouse in August, Strasbourg lost to Nice prior to the international break, but they returned to action with a 2-2 draw against Montpellier before securing a 1-0 victory over Metz last time out.

It is worth noting, however, that only the bottom four sides have scored fewer goals than Strasbourg's seven, meaning that Vieira will be eager for his players to be more clinical as they attempt to keep pace with the top teams in the division.

Following six failed attempts, Lens finally clinched their first victory of the campaign last time out, coming from behind to secure a 2-1 win against Toulouse, courtesy of Wesley Said's equaliser and Morgan Guilavogui's 84th-minute winner.

There is no denying that Franck Haise's side deserved to claim all three points last weekend, as the hosts racked up 62% possession and 27 shots at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, while the visitors managed just two attempts on target throughout the contest.

Still, last season's runners-up remain in the relegation zone after six matches, having taken just four points from a possible 18 this term, with successive defeats against Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco and Metz preceding the triumph over Toulouse.

On top of that, the Blood and Gold possess the joint-worst defensive record in the French top flight, while only fellow strugglers Lyon and Clermont have scored fewer goals than Lens, so Haise will be desperate to build on last weekend's victory.

Strasbourg Ligue 1 form:

W

L

W

L

D

W

Lens Ligue 1 form:

L

D

L

L

L

W

Lens form (all competitions):

D

L

L

L

D

W

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Team News

There are question marks over the fitness of Strasbourg midfielder Ibrahima Sissoko, who missed last weekend's win against Metz, while veteran goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima and Polish defender Karol Fila remain sidelined through injury.

New signing Emanuel Emegha will continue to lead the line for Le Racing, with Angelo Gabriel and Dilane Bakwa offering attacking support to the Dutch striker, leaving highly-rated youngster Ismael Doukoure to anchor the midfield.

On the flip side, Lens' injury list contains Jimmy Cabot (knee), David Costa (shoulder), Wuilker Farinez (knee) and Massadio Haidara (thigh), although Haise will be tempted to stick with the same starting XI that instigated last weekend's victory.

The visitors will line up in a familiar 3-4-2-1 formation, with Jonathan Gradit, Kevin Danso and Facundo Medina sitting in front of goalkeeper Brice Samba, while Wesley Said will continue to lead the line, receiving attacking support from Florian Sotoca and Adrien Thomasson.

Strasbourg possible starting lineup:

Sels; Senaya, Nyamsi, Perrin, Delaine; Diarra, Doukoure, Deminguet; Gabriel, Emegha, Bakwa

Lens possible starting lineup:

Samba; Gradit, Danso, Medina; Aguilar, Abdul Samed, Diouf, Frankowski; Sotoca, Thomasson; Said

We say: Strasbourg 1-1 Lens

Following a Champions League draw with Sevilla and a much-needed Ligue 1 victory over Toulouse, Lens will be determined to extend their momentum-building run on Friday.

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