Lens v Auxerre: opening-day test between two European hopefuls | OneFootball

Lens host Auxerre in Ligue 1 at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Saturday, 22 August 2026, looking to start fast on matchday one after a strong pre-season and a statement win over Paris Saint-Germain.

Recent meetings have swung both ways. Lens edged Auxerre 1-0 in January 2026, but the visitors won 4-0 in this fixture in April 2025. The initial standings place Auxerre in the Champions League bracket and Lens in the Conference League qualification slot, sharpening the early stakes.

Form points to momentum on both sides. Lens warmed up with victories over Villarreal and Boulogne, a draw with Charleroi and, most notably, a 1-0 win against PSG. Auxerre arrive off a five-game run that included a win at Werder Bremen, draws with Sochaux and Troyes, and a 5-2 victory over St Maur Lusitanos.

Selection could matter. Lens list Jonathan Gradit and Saud Abdulhamid as injured, while Kyllian Antonio is suspended until 30 August. Auxerre have several absentees marked as injured, including Assane Diousse, El Hadji Danny Namaso, Marvin Senaya, Bryan Okoh, Fredrik Oppegård and Christ Makosso.

On the pitch, Lens are expected to set up in a 3-4-2-1, with Florian Thauvin and Abdallah Sima offering end product. Thauvin has 15 goals in 38 appearances since joining, Sima seven in 28. Auxerre's 4-2-3-1 could lean on midfielder Kévin Danois and the direct running of Josué Casimir to supply Rémy Labeau Lascary.

An opening win would bank three points and could nudge either club towards the early European places. Lens then visit Strasbourg, while Auxerre are set to host Angers.