Lens midfielder Adrien Thomasson believes his side's opponents will have an "extra level of motivation" when facing the Ligue 1 leaders.

Pierre Sage's side are one point ahead of reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain after 16 games, having won six consecutive league games before the winter break.

PSG are still favourites to win the Ligue 1 title according to the Opta supercomputer, which gives them an 87.91% of retaining the trophy to Lens' 7.28%, but it is the latter who currently hold the advantage.

A trip to eighth-place Toulouse, who are unbeaten in their last four games in all competitions, is up next for Lens.

Thomasson insisted Les Song et Or are solely focused on their upcoming opponents rather than the title, but has urged his team-mates to stay focused.

"It changes everything, we feel it in relation to our opponents," the midfielder said when asked what felt different about being the league leaders.

"When you play the league leaders, you have that extra level of motivation, and you want to show that you're capable of beating the best team in the league.

"It's up to us to be more focused. So far, we've managed it well since we've been in first place for three matchdays, but we can't let our guard down.

"Every team is dangerous, and that will be the case in Toulouse, so we'll have to maintain the same ambition and determination.

"Right now, our main focus is on beating Toulouse and keeping this top spot. There are 18 matches left."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Toulouse – Yann Gboho

Gboho is Toulouse's top scorer in Ligue 1 this season with five goals, while he has also provided one assist for his side.

He entered the winter break in good form, scoring twice in their 3-0 win over Paris FC.

Lens – Odsonne Edouard

Only Mason Greenwood (11), Esteban Lepaul (nine) and Joaquin Panichelli (nine) have scored more often in the French top flight than Edouard (seven) this season.

The French striker has either scored or assisted in seven of his last 10 league games, directly contributing to nine goals in that time (seven goals, two assists).

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

Lens have won 12 of their first 16 matches in Ligue 1 this season, a record at this stage in their history. All teams with at least as many wins after 16 games finished on the final podium.

Les Song et Or's six-game winning run in the league is also their second-best such streak in the 21st century, behind their last seven matches in 2022-23 under Franck Haise.

However, they will be facing a confident Toulouse side. The latter have picked up seven points in their last three Ligue 1 games (W2 D1), one more than in their previous six (W1 D3 L2).

Toulouse reached the 50-goal mark in Ligue 1 in 2025 (51 in 36 matches), which they ended with their highest goal tally in a single calendar year in the top-flight since 1985 (55 in 42 matches).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Toulouse – 37.6%

Draw – 27.1%

Lens – 35.3%