With the head-to-head record going against Lens in the final set of fixtures in the Champions League, the Ligue 1 side will play hosts to the serial winners of the Europa League knowing that a spot in that competition is all they have to play for.
Dismissal from the Champions League this season for Lens was confirmed when they were battered from pillar to post by Arsenal in their last outing.
🏋🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/SKI8VRVOW6— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) December 10, 2023
🏋🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/SKI8VRVOW6
Six different goalscorers got in on the act for Arsenal that day, as the Gunners stunned Lens with a 4-0 lead at half time.
This, however, was not the deciding factor entirely, as a loss against PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands alongside a draw with them means the Eredivisie side heads through to the knockout rounds, regardless of whatever happens here.
This is due to the head-to-head factor that decides who goes through before goals difference, should two sides be level on points after all six games.
This now means the Ligue 1 side merely need to avoid a loss to Sevilla in order to end up in the Europa League this season.
These two teams are matched on the head-to-head record after a 2-2 draw in their first meeting back in September, so it is simply a winner takes all scenario.
However, given how the Europa League is on offer, Lens will be fully aware that Sevilla calibre in that competition is as good as any other teams.
The La Liga giants are the holders of the competition for winning it on penalties against Roma last season, and this was the seventh time they have won the competition, and the fifth within the past decade - this means a 50% record of triumphing in the Europa League for Sevilla in the past decade.
On the other hand, it has been a shocking season for the Spanish side, as they are four clear of the drop zone after 15 games and come into this fixture having won just two La Liga matches.
They were defeated for the sixth time last weekend when Mallorca beat them 1-0, and this now means 21 goals have been conceded in the process.
Sevilla also lost in brutal fashion at home to PSV last time out in Europe, which also means the club's only wins since late September have been in the Copa del Rey.
Forebet predicts a draw and under 2.5 goals here, which would see Lens enter the Europa League.