Match Previews

No selection problems for Lens aside from Hilton (def), who is carrying a slight knock... Guy Roux has had an uneasy start to his tenure as Racing Club Lens manager as he has struggled to negotiate the team’s early league matches with Bordeaux and PSG. Lens have just one point after these two games and are yet to find the net. In addition to these showings Lens struggled past Chronomorets, failing to score in the first leg before eventually negotiating their way past their Ukrainian opponents. Roux will be hoping the visit to Berne to face Young Boys will be a less stressful affair but judging by Lens’ recent showings it is sure to be a tough battle. Lens should at least have a close to full strength squad to travel to Switzerland as Aruna Dindane returns from a knock while the northern side have no suspension worries while Hilton is the only player likely to be absent through injury. Dindane will doubtless lead an attacking trio of Ivorians who will provide the main threat to the Young Boys defence, although only two are likely to start. Dindane is a quick and powerful striker but may need some team to regain match sharpness while Kanga Akale will be deployed in a wide role, looking to score his first goals for the club. The trio is completed by Bonaventure Kalou who will probably start in the hole while Olivier Monterubbio starts on the left. Kovacevic in the anchor midfield role has been one of the few real successes in the side this season. Sable will play alongside the Serbian international. Defensively Lens are a difficult team to break down with the first choice back four already seemingly established. Surprisingly there has been no place in recent squads for Milan Bisavec, a talented right-back however he has been tipped to play this evening. In goal Croatian international Runje has taken over the starting position from Charles Itandje, who has signed for Liverpool.