Lens make the trip to Clermont on Sunday afternoon looking to strengthen their grip of a top-five spot in the Ligue 1 standings.
At a time when the visitors occupy fourth position, six points clear of sixth-placed Lille, Clermont are sat comfortably in the mid-table spots.
Match preview
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Having flirted with challenging for second spot or better since the turn of the year, Lens have been brought back down to earth of late, a period which has included an exit from the Coupe de France.
However, since going four matches without success in Ligue 1, Les Sang et Or have rallied to collect five points from their following three fixtures.
Although they were pegged back by Lille last time out, avoiding defeat to a resurgent direct rival was imperative, and Franck Haise can be content with their current standing in the table.
Qualifying for the Champions League remains the priority, Lens only behind third-placed Monaco courtesy of goal difference and they still have to play host to that opposition.
Nevertheless, after the recent near misses when it comes to European qualification, supporters will be taking one game at a time, hoping to first get over the line with regards to the top five.
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From the perspective of Clermont, they begun the season with the target of avoiding relegation having only finished in 17th spot last season.
Instead, supporters have been treated to a period away from the bottom four, the current gap to the drop zone being a considerable 12 points.
With four points having been collected from games with Strasbourg and Toulouse, Pascal Gastien's side can afford to go all out for three points and embrace their tag as underdogs on Sunday.
While Lens have posted just three wins from 13 away fixtures this campaign, Clermont have registered just four triumphs from the same amount of matches at Stade Gabriel Montpied.
Team News
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Despite a win and clean sheet at Toulouse, Gastien may choose to hand a recall to defender Mateusz Wieteska after his recent suspension.
Although changes are expected to be kept to a minimum, Komnen Andric is in contention for a recall after supplying the assist for the decisive goal last time out.
Lens will be forced into at least one alteration with defender Jonathan Gradit having collected his fifth yellow card of the season.
With Massadio Haidara potentially moving into a central-defensive role, Ismael Boura could be handed a start at left-back.
That is dependent on whether Facundo Medina is able to make his return from the injury that he picked up at the start of the month.
Clermont possible starting lineup:
Diaw; Konate, Ogier, Wieteska; Zeffane, Magnin, Gonalons, Allevinah; Khaoui, Cham; Andric
Lens possible starting lineup:
Samba; Frankowski, Danso, Haidara, Boura; Samed, Fofana; Sotoca, Thomasson, Fulgini; Openda
We say: Clermont 1-2 Lens
With Clermont having returned to winning ways last time out, they will be optimistic of building on that result. However, Lens are slowly getting back on track themselves, leading us to predict a hard-fought victory for the visitors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
