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

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

Match preview

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.

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:

Lens Ligue 1 form:

Team News

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

We say: Reims 1-3 Lens

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