2025/26 Ligue 1 season gets underway with a thrilling encounter as RC Lens host Olympique Lyonnais at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on 16th August. The two teams will be hungry to make a flying start to their campaigns after their contrasting experiences during their pre-season workshops.

• Date: 16th August 2025

• Time: 11:00 UTC

• Venue: Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens, France

• Competition: Ligue 1, Round 1

With cautious optimism, Lens embarks on the new season under Pierre Sage's direction. The northern team ended below European qualification positions last season and will be eager to claim a better campaign. Their home record at the vibrant Stade Bollaert-Delelis could prove to be the turning point against quality teams.

Lyon has Paulo Fonseca still absent following his touchline suspension in Ligue 1 games, but this has not silenced their attacking philosophy. The team has assembled an excellent team with a lot of firepower to match, and they are one of the most exciting teams to watch out for in French football.

Lens exhibited good form in their preseason games, demonstrating solidity and attacking strength:

• Win against RB Leipzig (2-1)

• Loss to Roma (0-2)

• Win over Wolverhampton Wanderers (3-1)

• Win over Metz (2-1)

• Comprehensive win over Dunkerque (5-1)

Pre-season stats: 12 goals scored, 6 conceded in 5 games

Lyon's pre-season included some challenging matches against quality teams:

• Win over Getafe (2-1)

• Loss to Bayern Munich (1-2)

• Romp over Mallorca (4-0)

• GSM win over Hamburger SV (4-0)

• Draw with RWDM Brussels (0-0)

Pre-season stats: 11 goals scored, 3 conceded in 5 games

Doubtful:

• Jhoanner Chávez (Injury)

• Remy Labeau Lascary (Fitness issues)

Unavailable:

• Ernest Nuamah (Injury)

• Orel Mangala (Injury)

The absence of these key players might affect both managers' plans for the season-opener.

Predicted XI:

• Goalkeeper: Risser

• Defence: Baidoo, Sarr, Udol

• Midfield: Abdulhamid, Diouf, Thomasson, Machado

• Attack: Guilavogui, Thauvin, Saïd

Predicted XI:

• Goalkeeper: Descamps

• Defence: Kumbedi, Mata, Niakhaté, Tagliafico

• Midfield: Maitland-Niles, Merah, Morton, Tolisso, Fofana

• Attack: Mikautadze

The latest encounters between these two teams have produced thrilling games, with both teams showing that they are capable of scoring regularly.

• Wins for Lens: 3

• Draws: 1

• Lyon wins: 1

• Total goals: 14 (2.8 per match)

• Both teams scored: 3/5 games

Lyon's attacking fecundity during the pre-season is matched by their goal scorers, led by Georges Mikautadze. They will, however, be up against a Lens team that has shown defense solidity and can create leverage from occasions of counter-attacking.

The central area of the park will be the defining factor, Lyon's creative midfielders looking to dominate possession while Lens try to disrupt their flow with intense pressing and fast transition.

Both sides have been effective from dead ball situations during the off-season, so these moments may be critical in what looks like being a real competitive match.

Based on current market trends, Lyon are thin favorites despite playing away from home, suggesting their more talented squad and pre-season training. However, Lens's home form and good previous record against Les Gones make for an intriguing punt.

The bookmakers suggest an open game with goals from both sides likely, looking at their recent head-to-head record and attacking play revealed in warm-up matches.

This season-opening match promises entertainment, with both teams possessing the talent to trouble their visitors. Lens take heart from their superb recent home form against Lyon, but the visitors possess more technical class and attacking firepower.

Lyon's attacking prowess, as evidenced pre-season, needs to be the difference against all odds in the challenging away environment. Their ability to create chances from different areas of the pitch makes them stand out to make this what appears to be an intriguing game to predict.

• Final Prediction: Lens 1-2 Lyon

The match has to be a goals fest from either of the teams, Lyon's quality in the second half being the decider in the end. Expect an electrifying game that does justice to the Ligue 1 football's opening weekend.

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The Lens versus Lyon encounter is about three points, it's an opportunity for the two teams to make some early momentum in what promises to be another captivating Ligue 1 campaign. With quality players on both sides and contrasting tactical ideologies, the match encapsulates the competitive ethos behind what makes football in France so compelling.

Whether your taste is Lens's home form and current dominance of this tie, or Lyon's superior striking tools and pre-season, this match is the perfect start to the new season.