The final Coupe de France quarter-final clash of the year promises to be a thrilling encounter, pitting Ligue 1’s second and third-placed teams against each other as Lens journeys to Groupama Stadium to challenge Lyon on Thursday.
During the round of 16, Lyon secured a clean 2-0 victory over Laval, while Les Sang et Or triumphed with a 4-2 win during their trip to Troyes earlier in February.
Match preview
Lyon’s consistent presence in the later stages of the Coupe de France is well-established, with the club having secured a convincing win against Stade Lavallois just last month.
Lyon’s squad has demonstrated strong defensive form, conceding just one goal across three tournament matches this year, securing their spot in the final eight for the seventh time in the past eight editions.
From their last five appearances at this stage of the competition, they have progressed on four occasions, with their most recent quarter-final success coming in 2024 against Strasbourg via a penalty shootout.
Lyon boasts an impressive record of nine consecutive home victories across all competitions, having also kept clean sheets in their last three matches played at home.
The team has registered eight consecutive wins in Coupe de France fixtures played at home, with their last loss in this tournament at Groupama Stadium occurring in the 2021 quarter-finals against Monaco (a 2-0 defeat).
Les Gones have remained undefeated in two of their last three competitive encounters with Lens, notably securing a 1-0 victory against them in their Ligue 1 season opener back in August.
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© Imago
While their league title ambitions have suffered a setback in the last fortnight, Lens appears to be a formidable contender to claim this trophy, potentially for the first time in the club’s history.
Lens has been guided into the quarter-finals of this tournament for only the second time in the last eight editions, having scored a combined 10 goals across their three games.
Lens’ coach has seen his team suffer just one defeat in their last nine away matches across all competitions, that loss being a 3-1 result against Marseille in late January.
Concurrently, they have failed to secure maximum points in their last two Ligue 1 fixtures, causing them to fall from the top of the standings to four points adrift of Paris Saint-Germain.
Lens has progressed in six of their last seven Coupe de France away matches, securing victories in both of their road games this season with an aggregate score of 7-2.
Les Sang et Or have not reached the semi-finals of this competition since 2010, yet they have triumphed in their two most recent trips to Groupama Stadium, and also defeated Lyon at Stade Gerland during the 2014 Coupe de France round of 16 with a 2-1 extra-time victory.
Lyon Coupe de France form:
Lyon form (all competitions):
Lens Coupe de France form:
Lens form (all competitions):
Team News
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© Imago / Pro Shots
Lyon could be without Pavel Sulc and Afonso Moreira on Thursday due to hamstring problems, while Ruben Kluivert is dealing with a muscle strain and Malick Fofana’s participation is questionable due to an ankle injury.
Ernest Nuamah will be sidelined by a cruciate ligament injury, Nicolas Tagliafico is nursing a calf problem, but Orel Mangala might be fit to play despite his prolonged injury concerns.
Endrick scored the decisive goal in the last 16 match with 10 minutes remaining in regular time, and Maxime Hautbois inadvertently confirmed the win with an own goal during stoppage time.
For Lens, Regis Gurtner and Samson Baidoo continue to contend with hamstring issues, and Jonathan Gradit is recovering from a lower leg injury.
Additionally, Ruben Aguilar’s availability is in doubt due to a sore calf, much like his defensive colleague Kyllian Antonio, who is nursing a foot problem.
Abdallah Sima’s brace against Troyes was instrumental in securing their victory, with Andrija Bulatovic and captain Florian Sotoca also successfully getting on the scoresheet.
Lyon possible starting lineup:
Descamps; Abner, Mata, Niakhate, Hateboer; Nartey, Morton, Tessmann; Endrick, Yaremchuk, Karabac
Lens possible starting lineup:
Risser; Ganiou, Celik, Udol; Abdulhamid, Bulatovic, Sangare, Sarr; Sotoca, Said; Edouard
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Our Prediction: Lyon 0-0 Lens (Lens advances on penalties)
Both teams are characterized by their robust defensive strategies and composed, patient play. While there is minimal difference in quality between them, we anticipate Lens will display a slightly greater desire to secure a victory, especially for their coach facing his previous club.
For a detailed data analysis concerning the most probable outcomes, scorelines, and additional insights for this fixture, please click here.