{"id":16775,"date":"2026-03-05T09:23:25","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T09:23:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/?p=16775"},"modified":"2026-03-05T09:23:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T09:23:30","slug":"match-preview-lyon-vs-lens-a-coupe-de-france-quarter-final-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/match-preview-lyon-vs-lens-a-coupe-de-france-quarter-final-clash","title":{"rendered":"Match Preview: Lyon vs. Lens \u2013 A Coupe de France Quarter-Final Clash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Competition:<\/strong> Coupe de France (Quarter-Final)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Date:<\/strong> Thursday, March 5, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Kick-off:<\/strong> 20:10 Local Time (CET)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Venue:<\/strong> Groupama Stadium, Lyon<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The final spot in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/coupe-de-france-37\">Coupe de France<\/a> semi-finals is up for grabs this Thursday night as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/lyon-465\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lyon<\/a> welcome <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/lens-481\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lens<\/a> to the Groupama Stadium. With both sides looking to bounce back from recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/ligue-1-35\">Ligue 1<\/a> stumbles, this cup tie offers a golden opportunity to keep silverware hopes alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Setting the Scene<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It has been a transitional and turbulent period for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/paulo-fonseca-50746\">Paulo Fonseca<\/a>\u2019s Lyon side. Following the high-profile departures of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/alexandre-lacazette-2191\">Alexandre Lacazette<\/a> to the Saudi League and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/cherki-71578\">Rayan Cherki<\/a> to Manchester City, the club has had to reshape its identity mid-season. Despite the changes and an impressive 13-game winning streak earlier this year, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/lyon-465\">Les Gones<\/a><\/em> have been brought back down to earth with back-to-back league defeats, including a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/match\/ligue-1-35\/lyon-olympique-de-marseille-465-469-35#id=4463915\">3-2 loss to rivals Marseille<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lens, meanwhile, travel south under the guidance of former Lyon boss <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/pierre-sage-147788\">Pierre Sage<\/a>. The <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/lens-481\">Sang et Or<\/a><\/em> have seen their title aspirations take a hit recently\u2014dropping points to Strasbourg and suffering defeats to Monaco\u2014but their cup form remains a beacon of hope. They will look to exploit a heavily reshuffled Lyon lineup.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"623\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-3-623x1024.png\" alt=\"3rd vs 2nd in the Couope de France semi final\" class=\"wp-image-16777\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Via 365Scores)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Team News, Injuries &amp; Projected Lineups<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Both squads are dealing with significant injury crises that will force tactical adjustments from both managers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Olympique Lyonnais<\/strong> The spotlight is firmly on Lyon\u2019s new-look attack. With Lacazette and Cherki gone, the goalscoring burden falls on the exciting Brazilian prodigy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/endrick-106075\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Endrick<\/a> and the imposing Ukrainian striker <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/roman-yaremchuk-51148\">Roman Yaremchuk<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"811\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-7-1024x811.png\" alt=\"Endrick Player Details \" class=\"wp-image-16781\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Via 365Scores)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>However, Fonseca is dealing with a crowded treatment room. The creative engine room is missing standout playmaker <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/pavel-sulc-76007\">Pavel \u0160ulc<\/a><\/strong> (thigh injury), and winger <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/afonso-moreira-137310\">Afonso Moreira<\/a><\/strong> has been ruled out with a hamstring issue. They join <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/ernest-nuamah-115749\">Ernest Nuamah<\/a><\/strong> (ACL), <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/ruben-kluivert-116496\">Ruben Kluivert<\/a><\/strong> (discomfort), and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/malick-fofana-114540\">Malick Fofana<\/a><\/strong> (ankle) on the sidelines. Nicolas Tagliafico has a calf issue and is only expected to make the bench. With Moreira out, Noah Nartey is expected to step up in midfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Predicted Lyon XI (4-3-1-2):<\/strong> Greif; Maitland-Niles, Mata, Niakhat\u00e9, Abner; Tessmann, Morton, Tolisso; Nartey; Endrick, Yaremchuk.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"721\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-4-721x1024.png\" alt=\"Lyon Probable Lineup\" class=\"wp-image-16778\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Via 365Scores)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>RC Lens<\/strong> Pierre Sage faces a defensive nightmare upon his return to Groupama Stadium. The Lens backline is incredibly stretched: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/jonathan-gradit-61847\">Jonathan Gradit<\/a><\/strong> remains out following a double tibia-fibula fracture, while <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/samson-baidoo-110909\">Samson Baidoo<\/a><\/strong> (hamstring), <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/kyllian-antonio-144868\">Kyllian Antonio<\/a><\/strong> (foot), and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/ruben-aguilar-50384\">Ruben Aguilar<\/a><\/strong> (calf) are all unavailable. Goalkeeper <strong>R\u00e9gis Gurtner<\/strong> is out for the season with a muscle injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To make matters worse in attack, dynamic winger <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/allan-saint-maximin-2887\">Allan Saint-Maximin<\/a><\/strong> has been ruled out with a minor calf injury sustained against Strasbourg. Sage will have to rely heavily on youth at the back, with 20-year-old <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/ismaelo-ganiou-144855\">Isma\u00eblo Ganiou<\/a> and recent signing Nidal Celik stepping into the defensive trio alongside Malang Sarr. Up top, Odsonne \u00c9douard and Wesley Sa\u00efd will lead the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Predicted Lens XI (3-4-2-1):<\/strong> Risser; Ganiou, Sarr, Celik; Abdulhamid, Sangar\u00e9, Thomasson, Udol; Thauvin, Sa\u00efd; \u00c9douard.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"721\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-6-721x1024.png\" alt=\"Len Probable Lineup\" class=\"wp-image-16780\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Via 365Scores)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Head-to-Head &amp; Form Guide<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Lyon Form (All Comps):<\/strong> L-L-W-W-W<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lens Form (All Comps):<\/strong> D-L-W-W-W<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>While Lyon edged the league meeting 1-0 earlier this season, Lens have actually won on their last two visits to Lyon. The tactical battle will likely hinge on whether Lens&#8217; patchwork defense can hold up against the raw pace and power of Endrick and Yaremchuk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Stats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>New Era:<\/strong> This will be only the fourth time <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/endrick-106075\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Endrick<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/roman-yaremchuk-51148\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Roman Yaremchuk<\/a> start together up top for Lyon.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fortress Groupama:<\/strong> Despite recent wobbles, Lyon have won their last <strong>9<\/strong> consecutive matches played at home across all competitions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Road Warriors:<\/strong> Lens have scored in <strong>9<\/strong> successive away matches.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div data-widget-type=\"predictions\" data-entity-type=\"game\" data-view-mode-filter=\"full\" data-widget-id=\"0.09f5fcjuj1pi\" data-lang=\"en-US\" data-entity-id=\"4666779\" data-publisher-id=\"125\" data-live-mode=\"true\" data-hide-powered-by=\"true\"><\/div>\n<script src=\"https:\/\/widgets.365scores.com\/main.js\"><\/script>\n<div id=\"modal-root\" class=\"scores365\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prediction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lyon\u2019s attack has plenty of raw talent, but the absence of Pavel \u0160ulc and Afonso Moreira deprives them of crucial width and service. However, Lens&#8217; defensive injury crisis is severe. With a makeshift back three trying to contain Endrick, Lyon&#8217;s formidable home record gives them the slight edge in what should be a highly entertaining, high-scoring affair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Score Prediction:<\/strong> Lyon 3-2 Lens<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to Watch > <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/where-to-watch\">\ud83d\udcfa <\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>France:<\/strong> beIN SPORTS CONNECT, France 3<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>International:<\/strong> FOX Deportes (US), or check your regional Coupe de France rights holder.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Competition: Coupe de France (Quarter-Final) Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026 Kick-off: 20:10 Local Time (CET) Venue: Groupama Stadium, Lyon The final spot in the Coupe de France semi-finals is up for grabs this Thursday night as Lyon welcome Lens to the Groupama Stadium. With both sides looking to bounce back from recent Ligue 1 stumbles, &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":16782,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[1240,1671,2505,3379,108],"class_list":["post-16775","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-soccer","tag-coupe-de-france","tag-endrick","tag-lens","tag-lyon","tag-soccer","article_type-news","entity_type-match","inspiration-365s-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16775","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16775"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16775\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16784,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16775\/revisions\/16784"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16782"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16775"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16775"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16775"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}