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Lens vs Como: Expected Lineups and Team News for UEFA Champions League

Lens welcome Como to Stade Bollaert-Delelis in a pivotal UEFA Champions League League Stage clash on 4 November 2026. With three games played in this new-look league phase, both sides arrive with very different trajectories, and the predicted lineups for today’s encounter will be central to how the contest unfolds.

Lens sit 27th in the League Phase table with 3 points from 3 matches, having won once and lost twice, with a goal difference of -4 (3 scored, 7 conceded). Their form string of LLW (in chronological order) underlines an inconsistent start, and they have yet to win at home in Europe this season. Como, by contrast, are up in 9th place with 6 points, a strong goal difference of +5 after scoring 10 and conceding 5, and a League Phase description of “Play Offs”, which underlines their early push towards the knockout rounds.

With Como’s attack averaging 3.3 goals per game in this competition and Lens struggling defensively, the importance of the starting lineup and the tactical balance on both sides cannot be overstated. Stats suggest a very even outcome probability on paper, with the prediction model giving Lens a 10% chance to win, the draw at 45%, and Como also at 45%, but home advantage and squad availability will heavily influence how these predicted lineups perform on the night.

Lens Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Lens come into this fixture under significant squad strain. Several players are ruled out as missing for this Champions League tie: J. Chavez (coach’s decision), O. Edouard (groin injury), I. Ganiou (knee injury), I. Jourdren (off the roster), M. Nawrocki (knee injury), and A. Sima (muscle injury). All of these absences must be factored into the expected lineup today, particularly in defence and attack where depth is clearly affected.

Their league-phase form shows WLL (again, oldest to newest), and the defensive record of 7 goals conceded in 3 games highlights the need for a compact, disciplined shape. Lens have typically lined up in a 3-4-2-1 in this Champions League campaign, and with the available personnel, a similar structure is expected again, focusing on a strong back line and experienced midfielders such as A. Haidara and F. Sotoca to control transitions and provide creativity.

Lens Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
(GK: 3-4-2-1 expected shape)
GK: R. Gurtner
DF: R. Aguilar; S. Baidoo; J. Todibo; J. Gradit
MF: Saud Abdulhamid; A. Haidara; M. Cuisance; Y. Titraoui; F. Sotoca
FW: F. Thauvin

This predicted lineup leans heavily on experience and versatility. In goal, R. Gurtner is preferred over M. Gorgelin to anchor a defence missing options like M. Nawrocki and I. Ganiou. A back unit built around J. Todibo and J. Gradit should give Lens aerial presence and leadership, while R. Aguilar and S. Baidoo provide mobility and coverage in wider defensive zones.

In midfield, Saud Abdulhamid and A. Haidara are expected to offer energy and ball-winning in the central and half-space channels, with M. Cuisance and Y. Titraoui giving Lens progressive passing and ball-carrying between the lines. F. Sotoca, listed as a midfielder, is likely to operate high on one flank or as an advanced support player, linking with the lone forward. With O. Edouard and A. Sima ruled out, F. Thauvin becomes the logical focal point in attack, carrying much of the creative and finishing burden. His role will be to drop into pockets, combine with Sotoca and Cuisance, and exploit any gaps left by Como’s aggressive midfield.

Como Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Como travel to France with confidence but also with a notable list of absentees. J. Addai (listed twice, muscle injury and off the roster), T. Chalobah (injury), A. Diao (thigh injury), E. Goldaniga (off the roster), W. Kambwala (off the roster), M. Kean (leg injury), A. Lahdo (off the roster), and J. Rodriguez (injury) are all unavailable for this fixture. That removes options in defence, midfield, and especially attack, where Kean and Diao would otherwise be strong candidates for the starting lineup.

Even with these issues, Como’s league-phase form WLW and their 10 goals scored in 3 matches underline an attacking-minded side. Their typical setup has been a 4-2-3-1, and a similar attacking shape is expected again in the lineups today, with emphasis on quick combinations in midfield and high pressing. The presence of N. Paz, one of the standout creators in the competition so far, will be central to their plan.

Como Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
(4-2-3-1 expected shape)
GK: Robert Sánchez
DF: Yan Couto; M. Kempf; I. Smolčić; Álex Valle
MF: Luis Milla; M. Perrone; L. da Cunha; M. Caqueret; N. Paz
FW: T. Douvikas

Como have several goalkeepers available, but Robert Sánchez is the most established profile and is expected to start ahead of J. Butez and others, especially in a high-stakes Champions League away match. In defence, Yan Couto and Álex Valle give width and attacking thrust from full-back, while M. Kempf and I. Smolčić provide a left–right balance and experience at centre-back, compensating for the absence of E. Goldaniga and W. Kambwala from the squad.

In midfield, the double pivot of Luis Milla and M. Perrone should offer control and progression from deep, with M. Caqueret and L. da Cunha giving Como technical quality and pressing intensity in advanced roles. The key man is N. Paz, who has already delivered 2 goals and 3 assists in this Champions League campaign, with 3 starts and an impressive all-round statistical profile in passing, duels, and dribbling. He is expected to operate as the primary creator, drifting into central and right half-spaces behind striker T. Douvikas. With M. Kean and Assane Diao unavailable, Douvikas becomes the clear choice to lead the line, tasked with finishing the chances created by Como’s strong midfield unit.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

Absences are likely to shape the rhythm and style of this match significantly. Lens are missing depth in both defence and attack, while Como are without several forwards and defensive options. There are no suspensions listed, but the injury and roster situations alone will force both coaches to lean heavily on their core starters and a few versatile squad players.

Lens Absences:

  • J. Chavez — Coach’s decision (Missing Fixture)
  • O. Edouard — Groin Injury (Missing Fixture)
  • I. Ganiou — Knee Injury (Missing Fixture)
  • I. Jourdren — Off the roster (Missing Fixture)
  • M. Nawrocki — Knee Injury (Missing Fixture)
  • A. Sima — Muscle Injury (Missing Fixture)

Como Absences:

  • J. Addai — Muscle Injury / Off the roster (Missing Fixture)
  • T. Chalobah — Injury (Missing Fixture)
  • A. Diao — Thigh Injury (Missing Fixture)
  • E. Goldaniga — Off the roster (Missing Fixture)
  • W. Kambwala — Off the roster (Missing Fixture)
  • M. Kean — Leg Injury (Missing Fixture)
  • A. Lahdo — Off the roster (Missing Fixture)
  • J. Rodriguez — Injury (Missing Fixture)

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

On paper, this is a clash between a Lens side that has leaned on a three-at-the-back structure and a Como team that has consistently used a 4-2-3-1. Lens are likely to form a compact defensive block, with three central defenders supported by hard-working wing-backs and a busy midfield. Their main challenge will be managing Como’s overloads between the lines, where players like N. Paz, M. Caqueret, and L. da Cunha can rotate positions and drag defenders out of shape. The absence of key Lens defenders such as M. Nawrocki and I. Ganiou places extra responsibility on J. Todibo and J. Gradit to win duels and organise the line.

Going the other way, Lens will look to exploit the spaces left by Como’s attacking full-backs. The predicted presence of F. Sotoca and F. Thauvin gives Lens experience and creativity in the final third, and they will try to attack the channels outside Como’s centre-backs when Yan Couto and Álex Valle push high. Como’s double pivot of Luis Milla and M. Perrone must balance their forward passing with covering those spaces. With Como’s comparison indices strongly in their favour (overall comparison index around 67.3 vs 32.7, and clear superiority in attack and form indices), they are expected to dominate territory and chance creation. However, Lens’ late-scoring pattern in this competition and their home support suggest they can still threaten on counters and set pieces if they stay in the game.

Match Prediction and Verdict

All indicators point to a finely balanced contest in terms of result probability, with the prediction model giving Como a 45% chance of victory, Lens just 10%, and the draw also at 45%. The Poisson index and comparison metrics strongly favour Como, especially in attack, and their League Phase position (9th with 6 points and 10 goals scored) backs that up. Lens’ defensive record and the number of absentees in key areas further tilt the underlying numbers towards the Italian side.

The betting markets are broadly aligned with this edge for Como but still see a tight game. Home odds for Lens range roughly from 2.80 to 3.00 (implied probability around 33–36%), draw odds from about 3.46 to 4.10 (implied 24–29%), and away odds for Como from 2.06 to 2.35 (implied 42–49%). That places Como as a slight favourite but far from a certainty, which matches the prediction of a high draw probability. With that in mind, and given Como’s superior attacking metrics but Lens’ home advantage and resilience, a score draw looks the most sensible call.


Predicted Outcome: Lens 1–1 Como

How to Watch Lens vs Como Worldwide

Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:

  • Spain: Local sports pay-TV channel / streaming platform (check regional listings)
  • UK: Major sports network or official UEFA streaming partner
  • USA / North America: National soccer broadcaster or dedicated streaming service
  • South America: Regional cable sports network and selected streaming platforms
  • MENA: Pan-regional sports broadcaster with UEFA rights or affiliated streaming app

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