Clermont seek to continue their mini resurgence in Ligue 1 when they welcome Lens to the Stade Gabriel-Montpied in round 13's action on Saturday.
The relegation-threatened club went two games undefeated before the hiatus, and they could leave the bottom three positions if they beat the Champions League side, who are on an extended unbeaten sequence in the competition.
Match preview
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Second-bottom Clermont have suffered a drop-off at the beginning of 2023-24, having ended eighth in the 2022-23 campaign, with a winless start to the season seeing them fail to secure maximum points until late October.
A 1-0 triumph over Lorient before the international break has followed the October 22 triumph over Lyon, giving Pascal Gastien's the upswing they desired after a slow start this term.
Consecutive clean sheets have aided the Lancers' upswing, and they seek to extend that run when they host a side that often gets the better of them, underscored by a 10-game winless run against Lens.
Clermont have failed to keep their opponents out in the last nine encounters, pointing to the halting of the home side's two-game run of clean sheets.
Regardless, avoiding defeat would be a commendable outcome for Gastien's troops, who are keen to continue their green shoots to recovery with another encouraging performance and result on Saturday.
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As for the away side, Lens should back themselves for maximum points, even if the international break could put paid to any momentum they had beforehand.
Franck Haise's men are unbeaten in Ligue 1 since mid-September (a 1-0 home loss to Metz), claiming four victories in seven matches, recently securing seven points from an available nine before the interlude.
Strikingly, two games in the Blood and Gold's run have been goalless, while they have netted only one goal in another three fixtures — a 1-0 win at Strasbourg, 1-1 against Lille and a 1-0 victory over Marseille on November 12.
Perhaps the absence of a free-scoring Lens makes the away fans nervous about their four-game winning run over Clermont, but it remains to be seen if Haise's troops come unstuck in the typically high-scoring fixture.
With Lens four points adrift of fourth-placed Lille, the club from Northern France need maximum points to stay within touching distance of potentially reducing the gap — if Paulo Fonseca's team drop points at Lyon.
Team News
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Clermont have no reported injury worries ahead of Saturday's game, giving Gastien the full complement of his squad for the round 13 encounter.
Mory Diaw, who has made nine saves in the home side's wins over Lyon and Lorient, and Shamar Nicholson, provider against Fabio Grosso's side and the match-winner a fortnight back, could play pivotal roles at both ends of the pitch this weekend.
Oscar Cortes (thigh), Jimmy Cabot and Wuilker Farinez (both ACL) are injured and not expected back for Lens until next month.
Florian Sotoca and Deiver Machado have netted three goals apiece for the away side and should play positive involvements in this weekend's outcome.
Clermont possible starting lineup:
Diaw; Seidu, Caufriez, Pelmard; Konate, Gonalons, Gastien, Allevinah; Nicholson, Magnin; Cham
Lens possible starting lineup:
Samba; Gradit, Danso, Medina; Frankowski, Mendy, Samed, Haidara; Sotoca, Fulgini; Wahi
We say: Clermont 1-2 Lens
While a draw would not be a surprising outcome, Lens could nick a slender win in Clermont, extending their unbeaten run over the hosts and ending their opponent's two-game run without losing.
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