Lens will host Lorient in the third round of the French championship. These teams are seen as being at different levels. Lens last season delivered a sensational performance, finishing second in Ligue 1 and even challenging PSG at times during the campaign. They won the French Cup for the first time in their history. And this season they will continue an impressive run, despite a major overhaul of the squad. Lens won the French Super Cup against PSG. The league start was mixed. First Lens crushed Auxerre 5-2, but then lost to the fading Strasbourg (1-2). This sowed doubts about the strength of the 'blood-and-gold', but by their play the team showed they hadn't lowered their level and are ready to continue fighting for a place in the Champions League. Lens has a very balanced, strong squad and excellent physical condition at the start of the season. The same cannot be said about Lorient, which traditionally is considered one of the contenders for the fight for survival. In recent years it has managed to avoid that fate and even aspired to mid-table status. However the club's level and resources have not fundamentally changed. It remains a very modest team. Lorient began the championship with a goalless draw against Nice, which traditionally assembles a strong squad but constantly fails due to coaching or managerial decisions. Then Lorient at home lost to Troyes (1-2), which in status and potential is clearly weaker. This points to the problems that Lorient has at the start of the season in their play and readiness. Lens should take advantage of this.