Champions League line-ups: RC Lens vs. Como

Como rely on Nico Paz, Maxence Caqueret and Tasos Douvikas to keep their Champions League ambition going against RC Lens with Florian Thauvin and Franjo Ivanovic.

It kicks off at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens Agglo at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

Cesc Fabregas and his team have made a splash in their first ever Champions League season, crushing RB Leipzig and Manchester United 4-1 at home, but losing their only away fixture 3-2 at Feyenoord.

They’ve won five on the bounce in all competition and make the trip to France without Moise Kean, Trevoh Chalobah, Assane Diao, Jesus Rodriguez and Jayden Addai.

That leaves on-form Douvikas as the only real striker, backed by Nico Paz, Caqueret and in a more advanced role Lucas Da Cunha, leaving the midfield to Maxi Perrone and Luis Milla.

Martin Baturina is rested ahead of this weekend’s clash with Inter.

Lens started the tournament with a 3-2 victory away to Slavia Prague, but then lost 2-0 to Sporting CP and 3-0 at Club Brugge.

They sit ninth in the Ligue 1 standings after a 1-0 defeat at Lille over the weekend, ending their run of three straight victories.

Notably, the only clean sheet in all competition this season was the surprising 1-0 French Supercup success against Paris Saint-Germain on August 16.

There are some familiar faces, most notably former Udinese striker Florian Thauvin, and ex-Venezia and Sampdoria midfielder Michael Cuisance.

Centre-forward Ivanovic is a real talent and Croatia international, but Odsonne Edouard, Abdallah Sima and Ismaelo Ganiou are long-term absentees.

RC Lens vs. Como line-ups

Lens: Risser; Antonio, Baidoo, Udol; Aguilar, Haidara, Cuisance, Skoras; Thauvin, Hazard; Ivanovic

Como: Butez; Yan Couto, Ramon, Kempf, Valle; Milla, Perrone; Da Cunha, Nico Paz, Caqueret; Douvikas

Ref: Saggi (NOR)