Lens vs Lyon

Lens host Lyon in a Ligue 1 fixture that already carries weight given how last season ended. Lens finished runners-up to PSG and won the Coupe de France, while Lyon rebuilt on a shoestring under Paulo Fonseca. Early this campaign the roles look reversed: Lens sit 15th, Lyon are 2nd. Under new coach Dino Toppmöller, Lens have won just one of five league games, losing to Strasbourg, Lorient and Monaco and drawing at Le Mans, salvaged only by a shock Trophée des Champions win over PSG. Lyon, by contrast, have been Ligue 1's form side, boasting the division's stingiest defense and one of its sharpest attacks. Keep an eye on Florian Thauvin and returning winger Thorgan Hazard for Lens, plus top scorer Ernest Nuamah and summer signing Zachary Athekame for Lyon. Lyon lead the historical series comfortably, but Lens have won four of the last six meetings, including a 4-0 rout last season. Our prediction: 2-1