Sevilla-Lens is a match from the first day of the Champions League group stage and is played on Wednesday at 21:00: line-ups, predictions
Despite an anonymous season, in which at one point it even looked like they were struggling to keep their category, Sevilla managed to secure a pass to participate in the Champions League. How? By winning the Europa League for the seventh time in its history, thanks to its success in the final in Budapest against Roma after penalties.
The Andalusians confirmed last May that they have a special feeling for the second most important international event: the triumph in the Hungarian capital allowed them to ‘colour’ a year that would otherwise have remained grey. This was due above all to Jose Luis Mendilibar, the third coach to come to the red and white bench after the dismissals of Lopetegui and Sampaoli. In the season that has just begun, however, there has been almost no sign of the Sevilla admired in the spring: like a year ago, Jesus Navas and his team-mates got off to a bad start, losing their first three matches (Valencia, Alaves and Girona) and even the European Super Cup – this time the penalties were fatal – against Manchester City. A possible turning point could be the victory, the first of the season, last Sunday against Las Palmas (1-0), decided by a goal from new signing Lukebakio.
Lens are unrecognisable
Mendilibar hoped this success would spur them on ahead of their first Champions League fixture against Lens, a match they need to win to get off on the right foot in the cup.
Haise
The French currently look like the least competitive team in the grouping, in which there are also Arsenal, the big favourites for first place, and the fearsome Psv Eindhoven. Even the latest results say it: Lens’ first outings have been an authentic disaster, in five matches Franck Haise’s Giallorossi have barely gained a point (four defeats and one draw). In fact, Lens is momentarily last in the standings together with Clermont, forced to reckon with the most beaten defence in the tournament. It’s a different team to the one that a few months ago undermined Psg’s supremacy: Fofana and Openda’s disposals were perhaps decisive, and their replacements don’t seem to be up to the mark.
The Prediction
Sevilla are not bursting with health, but the victory over Las Palmas may have unblocked the Andalusians. The field factor, however, should be respected: Lens, in addition to having to cope with so many absences, is struggling terribly, especially in terms of scoring. We can stay with Mendilibar’s men, in a match that, in light of the moment the two teams are living, will probably not reserve too many emotions.
Sevilla-Lens line-up probables
- Sevilla (4-3-3): Dmitrović; Jesus Navas, Gudelj, Sergio Ramos, Pedrosa; Soumaré, Fernando, Rakitić; Lamela, En-Nesyri, Ocampos.
- LENS (3-4-2-1): Samba; Gradit, Danso, Medina; Frankowski, Abdul Samed, Diouf, Machado; Thomasson, Fulgini; Wahi.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-0
