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

The newly-promoted hosts' first game in France's top-flight for eight years ended in defeat last weekend, while Lens secured a home victory.

Match preview

After a couple of near-misses via the promotion play-offs, Ajaccio finally returned to Ligue 1 after finishing second in Ligue 2 last season.

Olivier Pantaloni, who is one of Europe's longest-serving managers having been in charge of L'ours since 2014, had been at the helm for each of their eight second-tier campaigns, with the club's loyalty to him finally rewarded with a magnificent promotion campaign.

Even the most optimistic of Ajaccio fans would not have expected much from their trip to Lyon last Friday, especially after Tete and Alexandre Lacazette provided the hosts with a two-goal lead after only 22 minutes.

However, goalkeeper Anthony Lopes's red card five minutes later gave the visitors some hope, and when Thomas Mangini converted his 31st-minute penalty, the unlikeliest of comebacks looked set to ensue.

Instead, though, Romain Hamouma earned himself a second yellow card in first-half injury-time, levelling the playing field and thwarting Ajaccio's hope of an opening day upset upon their return.

Still, should they keep their discipline on Sunday, Pantaloni's side have a chance of earning a positive result.

It certainly will not be easy for the hosts, though, as they come up against a Lens side who have consistently punched above their weight since being promoted in 2020, recording back-to-back seventh-placed finishes.

However, Franck Haise has a serious job on his hands to replicate that magic having lost key players Cheick Doucoure and Jonathan Clauss to Crystal Palace and Marseille respectively this summer, even if the club have reinvested more than half of the money raised from those two sales on six new acquisitions.

It was an existing player who stole the show last weekend, however, with Florian Sotoca's hat-trick providing his side with a 3-0 lead against Brest after 65 minutes.

However, perhaps harmed by complacency, strikes from Haris Belekebla and Romain Del Castillo set up a nervy finish, but Lens held on to suggest they can still be a force this season even without the aforementioned duo's services.

While Haise will be happy with their opening day's result and performance, he will expect his side to defend much better on Sunday, particularly should they find themselves gaining a comfortable lead once again.

Ajaccio Ligue 1 form:

Lens Ligue 1 form:

Team News

Ajaccio will be without Hamouma after the forward's needless dismissal during the defeat to Lyon.

Bevic Moussiti-Oko is likely to come into the attack in his place having made an appearance from the bench last weekend.

Lens, meanwhile, will travel without Gael Kakuta (muscle), Adam Buksa (ankle) and Wuilker Farinez (ACL), with the trio set for at least a few more weeks on the sidelines.

Haise is unlikely to make any changes from his side's starting XI in the win over Brest, with Sotoca hoping to pick up from where he left off after his somewhat surprising hat-trick.

Ajaccio possible starting lineup:

Leroy; Alphonse, Gonzalez, Avinel, Ismael; Bayala, Marchetti, Mangani, Nouri; El Idrissy, Moussiti-Okp

Lens possible starting lineup:

Samba; Gradit, Danso, Medina; Frankowski, Samed, Fofana, Machado; Sotoca, Costa; Openda

We say: Ajaccio 1-2 Lens

Despite losing some key players this summer, Lens should still be a cut above their newly-promoted opponents.

However, the hosts will fight hard to avoid defeat and will make Haise's side work for a second successive victory.

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