This Wednesday, May 13th, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) faces Lens (2nd) at the Stade Bollaert (kick-off at 9 pm, CET) in a rescheduled match from Matchday 29 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season. And as before every match, here is a preview of the Parisians’ opponent.
Lens’ situation –
After a period of highs and lows, Lens experienced a less successful phase. There was no European competition this season, following their 8th place finish in Ligue 1 in the 2024-2025 season. It must be said that there were changes during the summer of 2024: coach Franck Haise left for a new challenge at Nice, while Will Still signed from Reims.
Lens underwent further changes after a disappointing period. The Belgian coach left again, this time for Southampton and the English Championship. It was Pierre Sage, who made a name for himself at Lyon, who took over, hoping to bring back attractive football, stability, and European competition. Following a very busy transfer window, he fully accomplished his mission, and the Lens team is particularly admired. The second-placed team proved a contender for PSG, even if the 6-point gap and 15-goal difference mean the title race is practically over.
Summer Transfer Window 2025 –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Winter Transfer Window 2025/2026 –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Key Statistics –
This season, Lens has the second-best attack in Ligue 1 with 62 goals scored (PSG has 71, and Angers has 28), and the second-best defense with 33 goals conceded (PSG has the best defense with 27 goals conceded, Metz has 76).
Brest’s top scorer is Odsonne Edouard (28-year-old striker), who, with 12 goals, is 55th in the league (Esteban Lepaul is the top scorer in Ligue 1 with 20 goals). Adrien Thomasson (32-year-old midfielder) is Lens’ top assist provider with 10 assists and is currently leading the Ligue 1 standings.
Lens’ last 5 matches –
Only Lens’ possession is shown, and Lens’ shots are listed first (when data is available).
April 17, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Lens/Toulouse (down to 10 men in the 17th minute, 0-2): 3-2. Playing a 3-4-2-1 formation. 74% possession. 38 shots, 14 on target, compared to 4 shots (2 on target) for Toulouse.
April 21, 2026 (French Cup) – Lens/Toulouse: 4-1. Playing a 3-4-2-1 formation. 63% possession. 14 shots, 9 on target, vs. 5 shots (1 on target)
April 24, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Brest/Lens: 3-3. Playing a 3-4-2-1 formation. 64% possession. 20 shots, 7 on target, vs. 5 shots (3 on target).
May 2, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Nice/Lens (down to 10 men in the 81st minute, 0-1): 1-1. Playing a 3-4-2-1 formation. 56% possession. 15 shots, 6 on target, vs. 7 shots (2 on target).
May 8, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Lens/Nantes: 1-0. Playing a 3-4-2-1 formation. 64% possession. 10 shots, 4 on target, compared to 7 shots (2 on target).
The Squad:
Out – Gradit, Gurtnez (injuries), Abdulhamid (suspension)
The probable starting lineup in a 3-4-2-1 formation.
Edouard
Saïd – Thauvin
Udol – Thomasson – Sangaré – Aguilar
Sarr – Baidoo – Ganiou
Risser
Lens’ playing style.
It’s become something of a “tradition” over the past few years: Lens has a very attacking style of play, often with a back three. The idea is to press, ideally to inflict damage early on, but otherwise to maintain control and tire out the opponent. It’s an energetic style that’s difficult to counter, but it can also sometimes leave gaps and therefore create opportunities.
PSG has been warned: they’ll need to be up to speed immediately for this trip, which promises to be intense, even if the stakes have been somewhat diminished by the significant goal difference. They mustn’t, however, let themselves be swept away by Lens’ attacks.
