Form and context

Lille sit third in Ligue 1 with 15 points and are unbeaten at home in the league this season, with two wins and two draws. Lens are seventh on 13 points and arrive on a run of three straight Ligue 1 wins. This is the Derby du Nord at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, and the visitors will play without their own supporters after the club decided not to sell away tickets following events in Bruges.

Team news

• Lille: No confirmed team news yet.
• Lens: Odsonne Edouard is out for several weeks after surgery on adductor problems that have troubled him since the start of the season. Ismaelo Ganiou, Maik Nawrocki and Abdallah Sima are also unavailable. Jonathan Gradit is back after a muscle injury and is available, while Samson Baidoo is working his way back to full fitness.

What the numbers say

• Lille's last five in all competitions: draws with Monaco and Brest, a win over Le Havre, and defeats to Galatasaray and Arsenal.
• Lens' last five in all competitions include wins over Paris FC, Troyes and Lyon, plus losses to Club Brugge and Sporting CP.
• Lille have won four of the last six head-to-head meetings, with Lens winning one and one draw.
• Lens have won only once on Lille's ground since returning to the top flight, a 2-1 victory in 2022.

Our view

Lille's home record and recent derby dominance point to a controlled performance, but Lens' three-match league run and the return of Gradit give them something to build on. The loss of Edouard leaves Lens short in attack, which makes the away side's task harder.

Most likely outcome: home win - Lille are unbeaten at home in the league and have the stronger recent head-to-head record.