Lens host Troyes in Ligue 1 on Friday.
The hosts can move top of the table by winning the match, while Troyes would sneak into the top half should they avoid defeat.
Match preview
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Indeed, after two successive seventh-placed finishes since gaining promotion from Ligue 2, head coach Franck Haise continues to take Lens from strength to strength.
Four wins and two draws has seen Les Sang et Or move into the top four of Ligue 1 after six games, having preserved their unbeaten record in dramatic style away to Reims last time out.
After Deiver Machado's 66th-minute dismissal was compounded by Folarin Balogun breaking the deadlock for the hosts five minutes later, most teams would have succumbed to defeat. However, Lens are made of sterner stuff than that these days, with Lois Openda rescuing a point in the 82nd minute.
Having won each of their three home games so far this season, Haise and his players will feel confident of extending that run against Troyes on Friday, which would put them top of Ligue 1 overnight before their rivals have the chance to move back above them on Saturday.
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Troyes should not be underestimated, though, especially having gained a point despite being reduced to ten men themselves in their last match.
Ike Ugbo had provided Bruno Irles's side with a 14th-minute lead, but Yoann Salmier's studs-up tackle saw him sent off 13 minutes later, making it an uphill battle for his teammates for the rest of the match.
An away win for Rennes looked on the cards when Baptiste Santamaria equalised three minutes after half time, but some heroic goalkeeping from Gauthier Gallon - who was booked for time-wasting as part of his overall performance - and stubborn defending in front of him earned ESTAC a potentially crucial point.
Having begun the season in disappointing form with three successive defeats, that draw extended Troyes' unbeaten run to three matches, which is no mean feat for a team who only survived relegation by six points upon their return to Ligue 1 last time out.
Irles would almost certainly take avoiding defeat once again in Lens on Friday night as they look to move further away from this season's extended drop zone.
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Team News
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Machado will miss out through suspension against Troyes, although he was only a substitute last time out in any case.
Haise has several injury concerns restricting his selection options, with Gael Kakuta, Wesley Said, Adam Buksa, Wuilker Farinez and club captain Seko Fofana all ruled out of Friday's clash.
As such, he may select the same starting XI which earned a point at Reims, with Openda leading the line once again having earned his side a point against the odds.
Troyes, meanwhile, will travel without Salmier after his dismissal against Rennes. Veteran defender Adil Rami is likely to come into the side having been substituted on shortly after Salmier's dismissal.
Andreas Bruus and Karim Azamoum remain sidelined with knee injuries, but Abdu Conte could return to the squad depending on assessments of his recent muscle injury.
Lens possible starting lineup:
Samba; Gradit, Danso Medina; Frankowski, Samed, Poreba, Haidara; Sotoca, Openda, Costa
Troyes possible starting lineup:
Gallon; T Balde, Porozo, Palmer-Brown, Rami, Larouci; Lopes, Kouame, Tardieu, Ugbo; M Balde
We say: Lens 1-0 Troyes
Troyes will aim to frustrate Lens, who may have to remain patient in order to gain a narrow victory.
With Lens continuing on an upwards trajectory under Haise, more sides are likely to defend deeper against them, which is something that they must learn to overcome if they wish to remain towards the top of the table.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Brett Curtis
