Overview
- Kickoff is scheduled for 21:05 at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in the fifth round of Ligue 1, with Lens aiming to halt a winless run against Lille dating back to 2022.
- Lille arrives second in the table on 10 points and unbeaten, while Lens sits eighth with six points.
- Lens will be without Deiver Machado due to a knee injury, and coach Pierre Sage may recall Wesley Saïd to boost attacking options.
- Lens highlighted the derby’s social roots with a visit to the Lewarde mining centre, and Lille coach Bruno Genesio compared the rivalry to Lyon–Saint-Étienne and London derbies.
- Preparation included an open training session attended by 2,500 supporters, and former world champions Olivier Giroud for Lille and Florian Thauvin for Lens are expected to feature.