After its memorable victory at Bollaert against Arsenal (2-1), on October 3, 2023, RC Lens has a good chance of returning to the Champions League next season. The Sang et Or, now led by Pierre Sage, are still leaders of Ligue 1 ahead of PSG, with one point in advance, and with eight units more than their opponent on Saturday at the Vélodrome, OM. Florian Thauvin and his teammates have only lost three times in 18 days (out of 34) and have the best defense in the championship (13 goals conceded).
OL and OL are 4th and 5th in the ranking, 10 and 11 lengths behind Lensois! As a reminder, the first three in L1 will qualify directly for the 2026-2027 Champions League, while the 4th will only enter the 3rd round of qualifying (before a possible play-off).
Very heavy for OM, OL and RC Lens?
Lens have only participated in two European campaigns over the last five seasons and find themselves 128th in the UEFA club rankings. The Northerners’ coefficient could be one of the lowest at the time of the draw for the C1 league phase next August. The X account Football Rankings projected the 36 participants of the next LDC and therefore the four hats of the draw, with RC Lens in the last pot.
As a reminder, Champions League clubs face two teams from each hat and can therefore inherit several major opponents. Real Madrid, Bayern, Manchester City, Inter and Arsenal are potential opponents for Lens from the top seeds. Barça, Atlético and Chelsea would currently be in hat 2! Even the third hat, that of OM and OL (Les Gones are projected 4th in Ligue 1 and qualified via the play-offs), would offer formidable teams: FC Porto, Napoli or Villarreal.
