Lens vs Auxerre review and prediction: Overcoming difficulties at the last minute

Latest Lens vs Auxerre squad information

Lens are likely to be without versatile striker Florian Sotoca this weekend after he picked up an injury against Brest, and Anass Zaroury could be pushed further forward instead.

The good news for Les Sang et Or is that left-back Deiver Machado will return from suspension due to yellow card accumulation, while reserve goalkeeper Denis Petric could also return from a back injury.

In defence, coach Still will have to rely on 17-year-old talent Kyllian Antonio to replace the suspended centre-back Facundo Medina. In addition, Lens will also be without left-back Jhoanner Chavez and striker Remy Lascary, who is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

For Auxerre, right-sided centre-back Gabriel Osho is on the mend but will not be back for Sunday's game. Therefore, coach Pelissier's defensive trio will consist of Sinaly Diomande, Jubal and Clement Akpa.

In midfield, Elisha Owusu could feature after recovering from injury, while Nathan Buayi-Kiala and Lasso Coulibaly will remain absent.

Lens vs Auxerre latest expected lineup

Lens:
Ryan; Gradit, Sarr, Antonio; Aguilar, Thomasson, Aynaoui, Machado; Zaroury, Diouf; Koyalipou

Auxerre:
Leon; Hoever, Diomande, Jubal, Akpa, Mensah; Perrin, Massengo, Diousse, Sinayoko; Bair

Latest Lens vs Auxerre football review

Will Still's Lens endured a difficult few weeks between early February and early March, losing four games in a row, but with four wins in their last six Ligue 1 games, they still have a chance of competing for a top-six spot.

Most recently, Les Sang et Or overcame Brest in a 3-1 comeback win over the weekend, although they benefited from the opposition centre-back Abdoulaye Ndiaye receiving a red card in the first half.

The three valuable points have moved Still's side up to eighth in the table, now just six points behind Lyon in sixth. With four games remaining, they will need to be in perfect form if they are to close that gap.

However, Lens have only won two of their last five home games at Stade Bollaert-Delelis, so fans have every reason to doubt their team's ability to take all three points.

However, if Lens overcome their inconsistent home form and win this weekend, they could move closer to the European places. Conversely, if they lose, their chances of competing will all but close.

Meanwhile, Christophe Pelissier's Auxerre had lost two consecutive games before this match, but with just one defeat in their previous eight games, they were confident of regaining form and ending the season impressively.

In their last outing, AJA followed up a 3-1 defeat to Lyon with another 3-1 defeat to fifth-placed Lille. While these results were not too surprising given the strength of their opponents, coach Pelissier will no doubt be disappointed that his side conceded six goals after keeping three clean sheets in their previous four games.

The loss of six points in the last two games has left Auxerre in 11th place with 38 points, 11 points above the relegation zone but also 13 points behind the European places.

However, Auxerre have lost just one of their last five away games and if they can show the form they showed in beating Reims and Rennes or drawing with Champions League contender Nice, they could pose a serious threat to Lens' ambitions on Sunday.

A win this weekend could take them above Rennes and up to 10th in the table, just three points off the top nine with three games remaining.

Lens vs Auxerre latest score prediction

Based on the above football comments, we and the world's leading football sites have given the results of the match.Lens vs Auxerreas follows:

• Sportsmole:Lens 2-0 Auxerre

• WhoScore:Lens 2-1 Auxerre
• Our newspaper predicts:Lens 2-1 Auxerre

When and where to watch Lens vs Auxerre live?

To watch the live match Lens vs Auxerre in League 1 taking place at 22:15 on April 27, viewers can watch on TVK+ Sport,K+PMor online sports channels. Wish you have fun watching football.