Lens Dream of Title Ambitions as They Go Top For the First Time in 21 Years

After an impressive start to the campaign, fans in a small corner of northern France are beginning to dream big, as a first Ligue 1 title since 1998 peaks over the horizon.

Lens accumulated the same number of points as Metz that year, but courtesy of their superior plus-five goal difference, it handed them the trophy.

But could the glory days soon make a return? We take an in-depth look at how Lens are beginning to rival perhaps the most dominant incarnation of Paris Saint-Germain. 

Can Lens Break PSG’s Dominance?

Standing in the way are reigning champions PSG, who have won Ligue 1 for the last four years without much exertion.

That is apart from the 2022/23 campaign, when, incidentally, it was Lens who took Les Parisiens to the absolute limit. It took Christophe Galtier’s-then side until the penultimate match of the season to secure the title.

Lens’ 84 points, would have been good enough to win the title in four of the past six seasons. 

However, PSG’s 85 points was enough to start celebrations across the French capital. Observing those statistics that season, Lens lost four matches, while the eventual champions lost seven. What didn’t help Lens’ cause was that they drew nine of their 38 matches, while PSG only drew four.

Fast forward to the time of writing, and the Lens faithful are quietly optimistic they can challenge again.

They have begun the current campaign in confident fashion, accumulating 31 points from 14 matches, winning 10, drawing one and losing three. Most recently, they beat Angers 2-1 to secure their position at the top of the Ligue 1 standings.

While there has been success on the road, Lens possess an unparalleled home league record throughout the 2025/26 campaign. Six wins and one defeat puts Lens top of the pile in terms of success in front of their own supporters with 18 points.

Lens Summer Transfers

Lens had a fruitful transfer window, with just under £50million being spent, as the board set in motion a summer of change at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

• Samson Baidoo
• Mamadou Sangaré
• Jeremy Agbonifo
• Florian Thauvin
• Martín Satriano
• Abdallah Sima
• Morgan Guilavogui
• Odsonne Édouard
• Matthieu Udol
• Robin Risser
• Mattia Fortin
• Saud Abdulhamid
• Régis Gurtner
• Ismaëlo Ganiou

Even in the face of several high-profile outgoings – namely Kevin Danso, Neil El Aynaoui and Andy Diouf – they have already beaten fellow title challengers Lille, Marseille, Monaco and Strasbourg so far this season, although PSG have already taken points off them.

In August, the defending champions emerged victorious, as Bradley Barcola’s brace helped the hosts to a 2-0 win. Looking at the statistics, the winners on the day dominated possession (68% to 32%) and had the most shots on-and-off-target, but most importantly, all three points.

Lens’ Lack of Goals May Eventually Cost Them

Odsonne Édouard swerved a return to Celtic and left Crystal Palace to join Lens, and he has formed a stellar partnership with Wesley Saïd. The pair have netted 10 goals between them this season, while the entire team has hit the back of the net on 24 occasions. 

Lens are only the sixth-highest goalscorers in Ligue 1 in 2025/26. Notably, they trail leaders in that particular department, Marseille (35), who are closely followed by Lille, PSG, Monaco and Strasbourg.

Centring on Saïd and Édouard, they make up two-thirds of Lens’ three-pronged attack, alongside veteran Florian Thauvin, who is enjoying a late renaissance on his return to France. 

Thauvin’s brace pic.twitter.com/MeUE69UKwA

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) November 30, 2025

His brace at Angers on Sunday helped Lens climb above PSG and Marseille to the summit. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with France manager Didier Deschamps recalling him to the national team, where he recently netted on his first appearance in six years.

While it didn’t go to plan in Italy with Udinese, the move back to his homeland is making out to be a romantic tale.

While there is more than enough firepower to keep them afloat, the likes of PSG and Marseille are finding the net far more frequently, which could begin to put the pressure on Lens’ relative lack of goals in comparison.

Lens’s League-Leading Defensive Record

At the opposite end of the pitch, Lens possess the joint-best defence in the division, conceding 12, alongside PSG.

Indeed, it was their iron clad defence in 2022/23 that saw them challenge PSG right up until the final day, having allowed just 29 goals across 38 games that year.

If Lens can tap into that kind of defensive form once again, while also striking a fine balance with a far more top-heavy team than that of three years ago, they have every chance of a run at the title.