RC Lens vs Sporting CP

Both sides head into this Round 2 clash full of confidence after winning their Champions League openers, making this early-season League Phase meeting feel bigger than most October fixtures. Lens sit a surprising 15th in Ligue 1, while Sporting CP are unbeaten and third in the Primeira Liga, so the European stage offers a welcome contrast for the hosts and a chance to extend good form for the visitors. Domestically Lens have been erratic, losing recently to Strasbourg and Lorient despite creating chances freely under new coach Dino Toppmoeller, with captain Florian Thauvin still their creative heartbeat. They bounced back in Europe though, beating Slavia Prague 3-2. Sporting CP arrive red-hot, unbeaten in seven league games and coming off a 3-1 comeback win over Galatasaray in which Luis Suárez scored, with Zeno Debast marshalling defense and Fotis Ioannidis leading the attack. Our prediction: 1-2