Lens vs. Marseille: A Battle for Top Four in Ligue 1
As we look forward to the thrilling Ligue 1 encounter this Saturday between Lens and Marseille, there's a lot at stake for both teams. This clash at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the weekend, with both sides aiming to keep their momentum alive in the hunt for top-four finishes.
Lens started the season on a high, with an impressive unbeaten streak of eight games. However, their form has dipped in recent weeks with back-to-back losses to Lille and PSG. The defeat to Lille was particularly frustrating, as Lens were unlucky not to get a result, and facing PSG, who are one of the strongest teams in the league, was always going to be a tough challenge. Nonetheless, Lens bounced back just before the international break, securing a dramatic 3-2 win over Nantes. Trailing 2-1 in the final minutes, they scored two quick-fire goals, securing a vital three points in their push for the top four. Now, they are just two points behind Lille and looking to continue their strong home form, having won their last two matches at the Bollaert-Delelis.
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However, Lens' defense has been shaky in recent games, conceding four goals in their last two home fixtures—more than they gave up in their previous seven. With a free-scoring Marseille team coming to town, Lens will need to tighten up at the back if they hope to avoid another defensive collapse.
On the other hand, Marseille will be keen to put their recent woes behind them. Their defeat to Auxerre, where they lost 3-1 at home, was a bitter blow for coach Roberto De Zerbi, especially after a first-half where they found themselves trailing by three goals. Despite this, De Zerbi’s men remain in third place, though they are now under pressure as teams like Lens, Lille, and Lyon are closing the gap. Fortunately for Marseille, their away form has been nothing short of remarkable. They’ve secured 15 points from six away games, the best record in Ligue 1 this season. This is a stark contrast to their previous struggles on the road, where they won just three of 21 away games. Extending this excellent away run will be crucial for Marseille, as they face tough fixtures against Monaco and Lille in the coming weeks.
Both teams will be missing some key players. For Lens, the defensive woes are compounded by suspensions and injuries, with Abdukodir Khusanov and Jonathan Gradit unavailable, and Facundo Medina and Jhoanner Chavez returning from international duty late. They will also miss attackers Martin Satriano and Wesley Said, although M'Bala Nzola will return after suspension. Marseille, too, have their own injury concerns, with Geronimo Rulli, Leonardo Balerdi, and Ismael Kone returning from international duty, while Amine Harit and Faris Moumbagna are sidelined with injuries.
With both teams struggling with defensive issues and fighting for a spot in the top four, this promises to be an exciting and tightly contested match. Marseille’s excellent away form and potent attack make them slight favorites, but Lens’ recent home form and resilience will make them a tough opponent. Ultimately, this clash could be a deciding factor in both teams’ seasons as they aim to finish 2024 on a high.
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