Lens boss Jean-Guy Wallemme has played down the significance of Sochaux's 4-1 drubbing at Paris St Germain ahead of the trip to Stade Auguste Bonal.
Sochaux were taken apart in Paris but Wallemme has instead pointed to a run of three victories before their trip to the capital.
"Ignore that last match," Wallemme said.
"They had three good performances before then, in particular a victory in Lyon. Playing in Paris is always difficult."
He added: "No offence intended but they do not have more skill than us even if they have creative players like (Stephane) Dalmat and (Vaclav) Sverkos, who is a lovely player.
"But on balance, Sochaux are in the six or seven teams who are likely to be around us in the league."
Wallemme will welcome back long-term absentees Samba Sow and Nenad Kovacevic but Steeven Joseph-Monrose, Geoffrey Doumeng and Issam El Adoua are all out.
Sochaux coach Francis Gillot will be without defender Jeremie Brechet who suffered a calf injury in the first half of the 4-1 defeat to PSG. Striker Edouard Butin is also definitely out injured.
Ivan Stevanovic will play with the reserves. But there is good news as Nicolas Maurice-Belay is available again after completing his suspsion.
