Club Brugge ride their winning run against a weakened Lens defence
On Wednesday, 21 October 2026, Club Brugge take on Lens at the Jan Breydelstadion, in the Champions League league phase, with kick-off at 21:00 CEST. Ivan Leko’s side have three points after a 3-2 home defeat to Aston Villa and a stunning 4-3 win at Inter, and they have won all five games since that Villa loss. Lens also have three points, from a 3-2 win at Slavia Prague and a 2-0 home defeat to Sporting, and they are now coached by Yannick Cahuzac, who replaced Dino Toppmöller last month. Luís Godinho will referee.
“Het zal heel moeilijk worden.” – Club Brugge coach Ivan Leko (“It will be very difficult.”)
Predicted lineups: Club Brugge vs Lens
Leko made six changes for Saturday’s cup win over Lokeren, so a much stronger side returns tonight with Carlos Forbs and Nicolò Tresoldi back in the line-up. Joel Ordóñez and Bjorn Meijer are out, while Brandon Mechele is ready to play in a face mask after breaking his nose against Inter. Lens have problems at the back: Jean-Clair Todibo, Ruben Aguilar and Ismaëlo Ganiou all went off injured at Troyes, Maik Nawrocki and Abdallah Sima are long-term absentees, and Jonathan Gradit is unlikely to play.
Club Brugge Team News & Preview
The 4-3 win at San Siro was the highlight of Brugge’s season so far. Tresoldi scored a hat-trick and Vermant got the winner, although Leko admitted it was close to a 50-50 game in which Yann Sommer’s saves were decisive. Since the opening-night defeat to Villa, Brugge have won five in a row, including 3-1 against Antwerp and 3-0 against Genk at home, and they have won seven of their first eight league games.
Tresoldi has nine goals in 12 appearances this season and is joint top scorer in the Champions League with four. Brugge also have a strong record against French sides at home, beating Monaco 4-1 and Marseille 3-0 in their last two such games. Leko warned his players against overconfidence and singled out Lens‘ pressing as one of the best he has seen.
What works for or against Club Brugge
- Five straight wins since the Aston Villa defeat.
- Nicolò Tresoldi has nine goals in 12 games this season.
- Six goals conceded in two Champions League games.
- Leko rotated heavily in the cup, so the first team is fresh.
Lens Team News & Preview
Lens won 3-1 at Troyes on Saturday, their second league win in a row, with Florian Thauvin setting up two goals and being involved in all three of their goals. Thauvin has five goals and seven assists this season and is the player Brugge must stop. The cost of that win was high, though, with three defenders forced off injured.
Under Cahuzac, Lens have alternated wins and defeats in his first four games. Their Champions League numbers are respectable, with 59% possession and seven shots on target per game, but the comeback win at Slavia was their first in 17 European away games.
What works for or against Lens
- Florian Thauvin has five goals and seven assists this season.
- 59% possession on average in the Champions League.
- Todibo, Aguilar and Ganiou all went off injured on Saturday.
- The win at Slavia ended a run of 16 European away games without a win.
Club Brugge vs Lens Odds
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Club Brugge Form, Stats & Data
Brugge’s Champions League games have been wild: 2.90 xG for and 3.80 against per game, with three goals scored and three conceded on average. Going forward they are a real threat, averaging 7.5 shots on target, but the defensive numbers show why I would not touch a clean-sheet market here.
Lens Form, Stats & Data
Lens have been evenly matched in Europe on the numbers, with 1.65 xG for and against per game, and they like to have the ball. The issue tonight is personnel: the defence that produced those figures has lost three players to injury in one afternoon, and that matters against a side as direct as Brugge.
Club Brugge vs Lens: Prediction & Betting Tip
I am backing Brugge. They are in excellent form with five straight wins, they get a rested first team back after rotating in the cup, and Tresoldi is one of the most in-form strikers in the competition. Lens, meanwhile, are still adjusting to a new coach and could be without three defenders who went off at Troyes, on top of Nawrocki and Gradit. Brugge’s home record against French opposition adds to my confidence.
What worries me is Brugge’s own defending. They have conceded three in both Champions League games and allowed 3.80 xG per match, and Thauvin is exactly the type of creator who can exploit that. Leko himself rated Lens‘ pressing highly. A draw is a real possibility, which is why this is a small stake, but I think Brugge’s attack will make the difference at home.
I am backing Club Brugge to win at 1.88 with Winz, and I have it finishing 3-1.