1/ Because the Mastiffs return home after a historic week
We left them at the beginning of the month, crowned with two victories in quick succession at home against Real Madrid (1-0, 02/10), then Toulouse (2-1, 05/10). A little less than a month later, here are the Mastiffs again at the Decathlon Arena Stade Pierre Mauroy. In the meantime, Bruno Genesio's men signed a historic week by hanging the Monegasque leader on his lawn (0-0, 18/10), then winning on the field of Atlético de Madrid (1-3 , 23/10), before concluding with a victory on the gong in the Derby at Bollaert (0-2, 26/10). A sublime week at the end of a month which is just as sublime.
2/ Because LOSC (almost) always scores at home
In its last 29 home matches in Ligue 1, LOSC have always scored at least one goal. The Mastiffs even scored 61 goals in total. This is the club's longest streak since 1955-1959 (39) and the longest of any team since Monaco in 2015-2018 (53).
3/ Because LOSC likes to bring down the undefeated
Real Madrid had been undefeated for 36 games (tcc), Atlético de Madrid had not lost at home in the Champions League for 3 years. As for RC Lens, they have not yet lost in Ligue 1 in 2024-2025. All have been beaten by the Mastiffs in recent weeks. If OL are no longer undefeated this season, the Rhone club nonetheless remains a locomotive in the championship, and therefore a necessarily difficult opponent to face… Who also came to win at the Decathlon Arena Stade Pierre Mauroy last season (3-4, 05/06/24).
4/ Because at LOSC, the ends of matches are rich
Winner of RC Lens thanks to 2 goals scored in added time of the second half, LOSC has scored 9 goals in this period since the start of last season. That's more than any other team. Derby scorers Jonathan David and Mohamed Bayo are the players with the most goals after the 90th minute in the period (4 each).
5/ Because two Mastiffs have reached (or will reach) a milestone
And Lens, Edon Zhegrova and the dispute with 100th appearance (all competitions combined) in the LOSC jersey. This Friday, another Mastiff could reach a similar milestone. This is Angel Gomes. If he participates in LOSC-OL, the English international midfielder would play his 100th match (Ligue 1 this time). He would thus equal Graham Rix in 3rd place among English players with the most matches in L1 since the post-war period, behind Stephy Mavididi (115 appearances) and Chris Waddle (107).
