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THE FACTS
When is Sevilla vs Lens on and what time does it start? Sevilla vs Lens will take place on Wednesday 20th September, 2023 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Sevilla vs Lens? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Sevilla vs Lens on in the UK? Sevilla vs Lens will be televised live on TNT Sports in the UK
Where can I stream Sevilla vs Lens in the UK? Sevilla vs Lens can be streamed live on the discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
SEVILLA
Despite an awful domestic campaign in 2022-23 which saw Sevilla finish 12th-place in La Liga, once again they were triumphant in the Europa League, lifting the trophy for an incredible seventh time. That success saw them secure automatic qualification for the Champions League group stage without having to worry about their La Liga record.
Sevilla haven’t started well in the league this season, but did hold reigning Champions League winners Man City to a 1-1 draw in the UEFA Super Cup final, only losing via a penalty shootout. They are however, coming off the back of their first victory of the campaign, beating Las Palmas by a goal to nil at home.
LENS
For only the third time in their history, Lens are playing Champions League football in 2023-24 following an excellent campaign in Ligue 1, which saw them finish runners-up to Paris Saint-Germain by just one point. Lens were beaten just four times last season in the French top flight and to put that into perspective, PSG lost seven games.
Franck Haise’s men have endured a terrible start in 2023-24 and as it stands, have accrued just a single point in Ligue 1. They come into this encounter on the back of three successive losses, conceding seven goals in the process and scoring just once themselves. But they’ll hope that form goes out of the window in Europe.
THE TEAM NEWS
SEVILLA
Jose Luis Mendilibar will be without three players for the visit of Lens, all of which are defenders. Full-back and Argentinian international Marcos Acuna misses out through a hamstring injury, whilst centre-backs Marcao and Tanguy Nianzou are also out. The former also has a hamstring problem and Nianzou is struggling with a thigh issue.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Dmitrovic; Navas, Bade, Ramos, Pedrosa; Suso, Fernando, Rakitic, Lamela; En-Nesyri, Lukebakio
UNAVAILABLE: Acuna (Injured), Marcao (Injured), Nianzou (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
LENS
Lens won’t be able to call upon winger David Costa for this match, a shoulder injury ruling out the 21-year-old. However, midfielder Andy Diouf could feature should he recover in time from an adductor problem. There are also doubts over the availability of Massadio Haidara, Neil El Aynaoui and Nampalys Mendy.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Samba; Gradit, Danso, Medina; Frankowski, Abdul Samed, Diouf, Machado; Sotoca, Wahi, Fulgin
UNAVAILABLE: Costa (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Diouf (Injured), Haidara (Injured), El Aynaoui (Injured), Mendy (Fitness)
THE PREDICTION
The expectation is that both Sevilla and Lens will see this contest as imminently winnable and that neither will be afraid to take the game to their respective opponents, pushing bodies forward whenever possible. When taking into account the we’ve seen just one clean sheet in any fixture involving either Sevilla or Lens this campaign, it would be no surprise if there was plenty of goalscoring action at both ends of the pitch, so backing over 2.5 goals scored may prove a shrewd play.
TIP: OVER 2.5 GOALS