Ligue 1 2025-2026: Lens-Nantes, the likely lineups

The match between Lens and Nantes, scheduled for 8:45 p.m., opens the thirty-third and penultimate day of Ligue 1. The French league thus reaches its final verdicts in a round that promises to be electric. The “Sang et Or” have now shelved the dream of catching up with PSG: with a six-length gap from the top and only two matches left to play, Sage’s boys are now aiming at securing a second place that would remain an extraordinary goal, considering the value of the team and the technical gap with Luis Enrique’s battleship.

Diametrically opposite situation for the “Canaris,” whose goals are related to pure survival. Currently in penultimate place, Nantes chases five points behind Auxerre, which occupies the last place valid for the salvation playoffs. Thus, permanence in the top league hangs by the thinnest thread: for Halilhodzic’s men, there is no other result than victory, as a single false step would condemn the team to mathematical relegation as early as this evening.

Home coach Pierre Sage has to reckon with a full infirmary: in addition to Abdulhamid, Thomasson and Sangare disqualified, he has to do without Saint-Maximin, Gurtner, Gradit and this season’s star player Thauvin all due to injury. The lineup consists of: Risser between the posts, Baidoo and Sarr central, Aguilar and Udol as fifth midfielders, Sotoca and Said have the task of not making the former Udinese quality regretted on the three-quarter, forward Edouard.

The guests with a few defections as well: Centonze, Coqueline and former duty player Machado are out due to injury. Halilhodzic relies on the experience of Lopes between the posts, central Awaziem and Cozza, a rocky midfield formed by former Lecce man Kaba and Sissoko, forward Ganago the only point supported by Abline and Cabella on his sides.

Probable formations

Lens (3-4-2-1): Risser; Ganiou, Baidoo, M. Sarr ; Aguilar, Bulatovic, Haidara, Udol; Sotoca, Saïd; Éouard. All. Sage.

Nantes (4-3-3): A. Lopes ; Guilbert, Awaziem, Cozza, Tabibou; Kaba, I. Sissoko, Lepenant; Abline, Ganago, Cabella. All. Halilhodzic.

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