Lens v Nantes: title push meets survival fight | OneFootball

Lens host Nantes in Ligue 1 on Friday, 8 May 2026 at Stade Bollaert-Delelis, with second place on the line for the hosts and survival hopes at stake for the visitors.

Lens edged the reverse fixture in December, winning 2-1 away, and arrive with league draws at Nice and Brest after beating Toulouse.

Les Canaris snapped a two-game losing run to Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes by beating Marseille 3-0 last time out, having drawn with Brest and Auxerre before that.

Lens are without Adrien Thomasson (suspended), Saud Abdulhamid (suspended), and injured trio Florian Thauvin, Allan Saint-Maximin and Jonathan Gradit. The visitors' defensive options are thinned by injuries to Anthony Lopes, Frédéric Guilbert, Fabien Centonze, Kelvin Amian and Chidozie Awaziem.

The hosts have scored 61 league goals at 2.0 per game, with 11 headers and 25.55% cross accuracy, and could lean on Odsonne Edouard, who has 12 league goals. Les Canaris have netted 29 and conceded 51 at 1.6 per game, so discipline without the ball will be key, while Matthis Abline's four league assists suggest he could supply their threat.

A home win would strengthen Lens' grip on second and the Champions League places. Any result for Les Canaris would aid their survival bid as they look to climb out of the relegation places.