Key Takeaways
- RC Lens sit six points behind Paris Saint-Germain and require victory on the Riviera to maintain the pressure.
- Manager Pierre Sage plans a complete change to his front three following a frustrating 3-3 draw last weekend.
- Arthur Masuaku’s suspension forces a defensive reshuffle, with Samson Baidoo returning to the heart of the back line.
RC Lens travel to the south coast this weekend for a crucial Ligue 1 fixture against OGC Nice. The northern club hopes to keep their title challenge alive by cutting the deficit to league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
The gap between the two sides stands at six points ahead of kick-off. Lens cannot afford to drop points against a Nice team battling to move clear of the relegation zone.
Head coach Pierre Sage showed clear frustration after watching his side surrender a lead in last Sunday’s 3-3 home draw with Stade Brestois. He now looks set to wield the axe in his attacking department.
Wesley Saïd, Abdallah Sima and Florian Sotoca are all expected to drop to the substitutes’ bench. In their place, fans should see the exciting trio of Allan Saint-Maximin, Odsonne Édouard and Florian Thauvin leading the line.
The changes extend to the defence as well. Arthur Masuaku serves a one-match ban, which opens the door for Samson Baidoo to return to the starting eleven. On the opposite flank, Saud Abdulhamid looks likely to get the nod at right-back ahead of Ruben Aguilar.
The predicted line-up sees Robin Risser in goal behind a back three of Malang Sarr, Samson Baidoo and Ismaëlo Ganiou. Matthieu Udol and Saud Abdulhamid should provide width, while Adrien Thomasson and Mamadou Sangaré patrol the centre of the pitch. The front three will comprise Allan Saint-Maximin, Odsonne Édouard and Florian Thauvin.