Wallemme, a championship winner with Lens as a player in 1998, also spent six months at Sochaux and on both occasions, he crossed paths with former Lens and current Sochaux boss Francis Gillot:

"I played alongside Francis between 1989 and 1993. He was closer to the end of his career and I was just starting out," explained the Sang et Or coach. "He proved as coach of Lens [between January 2005-07] that he was a good coach that could get results, even if it finished on a bad note. At any rate, it will be a pleasure to catch up with him again."

"My time as a player with Sochaux was a great experience. It was so sad when such a great bunch got relegated at the end of the season. I also worked with Francis there because he was already assistant coach to Philippe Anziani.

Happy hunting ground

"If you believe in statistics, then we have a good chance," continued the coach of Les Sang et Or, who have won 18 times away to Sochaux in Ligue 1. "We also won here in the League Cup last season, and I hope, even though the past is the past, that the good memory of that game will give the players that extra edge."

Lens defeated Sochaux in the Round-of-16 last season thanks to Ala Eddine Yahia's 110th-minute winner.

Reality check

The past may be rosy, but the present is far gloomier: Lens are currently 18th in Ligue 1 with nine points from their 11 matches so far, from two wins, three draws and six defeats. With nine goals scored, only Grenoble (eight) have scored less in Ligue 1 this season. Les Sang et Or also have the second-worst defensive record, having conceded 19 (Grenoble have conceded 23).

Lens have lost four of five away matches this season, including their last three in a row. They have failed to score in their last three away matches.

On the up

After two years staving off relegation, Saturday's opponents Sochaux are enjoying the relative comfort of mid-table.

However, after three consecutive wins over Le Mans, Lyon and Lorient, last weekend, Gillot's side came crashing back to earth with a 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.

Not big enough

Last month's car accident involving USA international Charlie Davies has left the side light on in the attacking stakes and after the PSG reverse, assistant coach Alain Bénédet revealed the club are actively looking for reinforcement:

"We were on a good run but PSG were too good. We've been looking around for a late transfer [allowed by the French league provided the player is playing in France or is out of contract]. We need an extra striker. We saw against Paris that our youngsters just aren't big enough. I don't want to have a go at anyone, but we saw that against an athletic side, we just aren't big enough up front."

Substituted midway through the first half against PSG, defender Jérémie Brechet (knee) is doubtful. American international Charlie Davies is sidelined until the end of the season after suffering multiple fractures in a fatal car crash on October 12. Brazilian defender Carlao (pubalgia) and midfielder Loïc Poujol (thigh) are also missing. Nicolas Maurice-Belay returns from suspension after sitting out the PSG clash.

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