There was a lot of movement this summer in the North. Kevin Danso, Neil El Aynaoui Andy Diouf, Facundo Medina, Angelo Fulgini: all of them left Lens during the summer transfer window. To make matters worse, RCL lacked a touch of luck in their season opener at the Bollaert against OL (0-1). But the Sang et Or quickly bounced back with a win at Le Havre (1-2) and then against Brest (3-1) in the last two matchdays, allowing them to break into the top five of the league table.
On the other hand, Paris Saint-Germain experienced an ideal first month of competition. After winning the European Super Cup against Tottenham, the Rouge et Bleu took the lead in Ligue 1 just before the international break. The club from the capital’s players first showed solidity by securing two early wins away at Nantes (0-1) and then against Angers (1-0), before shifting into high gear at the Stadium in Toulouse (3-6).
4 – RC Lens have lost only 4 away matches in Ligue 1 since the start of last season (9 wins, 5 draws), the second-lowest total in that period among top flight teams, behind… Paris (1 defeat).
5 - Paris Saint-Germain have won each of their last 5 Ligue 1 matches against RC Lens, the best run in the club's history against the Sang & Or.
34 – Les Parisiens have scored in each of their last 34 Ligue 1 matches at the Parc des Princes, and will equal their longest streak if they find the net against Lens.
37 – With 37 wins, Paris are the team with the most victories in all competitions in 2025 among clubs from Europe’s top five leagues. The club from the capital also have the most goals scored over that period (127).
Pierre Sage and his team are expected to start against Paris in a 5-2-3 system. In goal, it is French U-21 international Robin Risser who has established himself as the number one. Arriving this summer from Strasbourg, the new Lens goalkeeper should see Matthieu Udol, who has been very impressive since the start of the season, start in front of him. Alongside the former Metz player, Malang Sarr has also been satisfying the northern staff. The ex-Chelsea man has grown in stature within the Lens eleven, while the final spot in central defence is likely to be contested between Samson Baidoo and Jonathan Gradit.
Although RCL place great hopes in the Austrian international, it is likely that the Lens coach will favour the experience of the latter. But another factor must be taken into account by the Sang & Or: the absence of Deiver Machado, sidelined with a knee injury just before the international break, and an undisputed starter on the left flank. The Colombian international’s absence could lead the Lens staff to use Matthieu Udol in that role, which would free up a spot in central defence and therefore benefit Samson Baidoo. On the right wing-back position, however, there is no doubt: French international Ruben Aguilar will definitely be in the line-up against Paris.
In midfield, Adrien Thomasson is of course expected to start. The captain and metronome of Lens’s play should line up alongside Malian international Mamadou Sangaré, who was bought less than a month ago from Rapid Vienna. Youngsters Fodé Sylla and Andrija Bulatovic could take a spot on the bench. As for the attacking line, some trends have also been emerging in recent weeks. On the right wing, new signing Florian Thauvin will almost certainly be involved. The French international is expected to be preferred over Morgan Guilavogui and Florian Sotoca, who is also capable of playing as a centre forward. But in that role, it could be the promising Rayan Fofana, a Paris native, who gets the start.
Unless Odsonne Édouard, the former Parisian who joined from Crystal Palace, is handed a start in his first appearance in a Lens shirt. Pierre Sage will therefore not be short of options up front, while Wesley Saïd is expected to start on the left flank. The former Rennes, Dijon and Toulouse striker will now face competition from Abdallah Sima. However, the Senegalese international has only just arrived in the North, and thus starts from further back. Nevertheless, he should make his first appearance in his new colours against the Rouge et Bleu.
