Lens Chase Ligue 1 Summit With Big Away Test at Marseille

By Francis Onyach - Reporter

Kenya, 24 January 2026 - RC Lens go into their Ligue 1 trip to Marseille aiming to reclaim the French league’s top spot with a strong performance at the Orange Vélodrome.

After a string of impressive results this season, Lens are riding high in the standings and looking to build momentum as the title race intensifies.

Lens currently leads the Ligue 1 table with a tally of points that reflects their consistency and resilience across the season.

Their rise has surprised many football fans, including those from Africa, where French football remains a popular league to watch due to its pace, talent, and opportunities for young players to shine. Under coach Pierre Sage, Lens have found a winning rhythm, with a run of victories in the French top flight that has lifted them to the top of the standings.

The northern club’s recent form has been impressive. They reclaimed top spot after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Auxerre, thanks to a goal from Wesley Said. That victory marked another step in a long unbeaten run that has seen Lens win many of their league fixtures, showing strong character both in attack and defence.

Marseille, meanwhile, sits 8 points behind Lens and will be desperate to close the gap. Their Ligue 1 campaign has seen moments of attacking brilliance, as they have scored regularly this season, but occasional defensive lapses have cost them points. A win over Lens would put Marseille right back into the title conversation, especially in front of their passionate home support in southern France.

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Historical data suggests both sides have had competitive matches in recent meetings, with Lens winning several of their last head-to-head encounters. Marseille will need to tighten up at the back and take advantage of the chances they create in forward areas if they are to dent Lens’s title bid.

For African fans watching from Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, and across the continent, this fixture offers exciting storylines. Lens’s march to the top of Ligue 1 reflects a broader trend of competitive balance in French football away from just the usual giants. Meanwhile, Marseille’s electric supporters and flair players make every game an entertaining spectacle.

In the end, this clash between Lens and Marseille may not only decide crucial points for the title but also set the tone for the second half of the season. Expect plenty of intensity, attacking play, and tactical battles as both teams strive for supremacy in one of Europe’s most engaging leagues.