Lens predicted XI v Auxerre: Jonathan Gradit out, Florian Sotoca on the bench

RC Lens are without multiple key players as they prepare to take on high-flying AJ Auxerre, this season’s surprise package in Ligue 1.

Ruben Aguilar is out with a shoulder issue and has been for some time. The likes of Jonathan Gradit, a key figure in Lens’ back line, Willy Cabot, Wesley Saïd and Martin Satriano are all out. The latter suffered an ACL injury earlier this season and is expected to miss most, if not all, of the current campaign.

Florian Sotoca may have to settle for a place on the bench, according to L’Équipe’s prediction with Will Still opting for a 4-4-2, which could also see Deiver Machado and Andy Diouf benched. It may be Facundo Medina who features at left-back for Les Sang et Or.

Lens likely line-up v Auxerre

Brice Samba; Facundo Medina, Abdukodir Khusanov, Kevin Danso, Przemyslaw Frankowski; Anass Zaroury, Neil El-Aynaoui, Adrien Thomasson, Rémy Labeau Lascary; M’Bala Nzola, Angelo Fulgini. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle