Ligue 1 | Gameweek 32

May 4, 2025 at 4.15pm UK

Parc Olympique Lyonnais

Lyon vs Lens

Match preview

In the 2023-24 season, Lyon looked set for a shock relegation as they were bottom of the table on the 15th matchday, but mid-season appointment Pierre Sage miraculously led them to a sixth-placed finish as his side won 15 of their final 20 games, raising hopes for this season.

However, Sage guided Lyon to just one win from their opening five Ligue 1 games, and while they briefly improved as they climbed to sixth, a run of five games without a win in January saw the coach sacked.

Paulo Fonseca was quickly hired as Sage's replacement, but just two months into his tenure, the Portuguese coach was handed a nine-month ban from domestic competition after a violent confrontation with a referee, leaving Jorge Maciel on the sidelines for domestic fixtures.

Despite the off-field drama, Lyon have moved up to fifth in the Ligue 1 standings, just one point behind fourth-placed Monaco and four behind second-placed Marseille, although they are only ahead of sixth-placed Nice and seventh-placed Strasbourg on goal difference.

Lyon will be looking to secure a top-four finish and a return to the Champions League for the first time since 2019-20, meaning they will be keen to end the season with three positive results.

A tricky trip to Lens is followed by a crucial clash with fourth-placed Monaco, before Lyon close the season against relegation-threatened Angers.

If Lyon are to start their campaign on a high, they will need to beat Lens for the first time since February 2023, having lost two and drawn one of their last three meetings.

Lens will be desperate for all three points on Sunday, as the Blood and Gold are nine points adrift of the European places with three games remaining, meaning maximum points are required and the unlikely scenario of Strasbourg, Nice and Lyon all failing to secure a single point to finish in the top six.

Will Still will be disappointed with this scenario, as his side were in a strong position for a European spot heading into the final stages of the season, but seven defeats and just four wins in their last 11 league games have hampered their chances.

While their chances of finishing in the top six are slim, Lens are still aiming for a strong finish to the season, as they look to lay a solid foundation to build on next term.

Recent Performance

Lyon Ligue 1 form:WLWWLW

Lyon form (all competitions):WDWLLW

Lens Ligue 1 form:WLWLWL

Team News

Ernest Nuamah has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in early April, while Alexandre Lacazette is also suspended for Sunday's game.

Having beaten Rennes 4-1 last time out, Lyon are likely to field a similar side on Sunday, with Malick Fofana, Thiago Almada, Rayan Cherki and Georges Mikautadze in attack.

Lens will be without Denis Petric, Jhoanner Chavez, Remy Lascary, Martin Satriano and Ruben Aguilar through injury, while Florian Sotoca is suspended after receiving a red card last time out.

After a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Auxerre last time out, Lens could make several changes to their starting XI on Sunday, including the return of Facundo Medina after the defender served his suspension.

Possible starting lineup

Lyon possible starting lineup:

Perri; Maitland-Niles, Mata, Niakhate, Tagliafico; Matic, Tolisso; Cherki, Almada, Fofana; Mikautadze

Lens possible starting lineup:

Ryan; Gradit, Medina, Sarr; Antonio, Aynaoui, Diouf, Machado; Agbonifo, Zaroury; Koyalipou