Lens coach Jean-Guy Wallemme has called for an immediate reaction against Nice following a "mediocre" display at Boulogne last time out.
Les Sang et Or crawled away from the foot of the table thanks to a run of three successive victories, although they remain 16th in the Ligue 1 table.
However, they followed that with a 2-1 defeat at Boulogne and Wallemme knows they cannot afford a repeat performance.
"It's a chance to quickly have a match to pick ourselves up after such a mediocre performance," he said.
"At the end of the match I felt some shame and - I still feel it today - hate, because I can not accept that all our work is called into question by one game and in such a way.
"I also felt responsible, telling myself I was stupid not to react, the previous Wednesday, when I felt that they weren't at their best in working.
"It is human to have periods of relaxation but, in our situation, that is too dangerous. We will always have to be at our best. There is no margin.
"There, we had the opportunity to move away from our rivals in the standings if we had dealt with the match well.
"It's as if we do not realise that we are playing for survival, even if we're out of the danger zone after a good run."
Kevin Monnet-Paquet is still suffering from fever and is definitely out while Fabien Laurenti has been included but is still doubtful with a minor back injury.
Nice are also desperate to get back to winning ways following back-to-back defeats.
Former Lens midfielder Julien Sable admits it will be special for him to return to the Stade Felix Bollaert and knows how difficult it will be to get a result there.
"Lens is a particular match," he told ogcnice.com. "But what's important this weekend is to stop this mini haemorrhage.
"I know Lens by heart. It's when they have their backs to the wall that they most often win.
"That's without taking into account they can count on a formidable support. We have to be good."
Nice have been hit by the news that Onyekachi Apam has been suspended for a month after the defender headbutted Gabriel Heinze in the defeat to Marseille.
Coach Didier Olle-Nicolle has opted to give veteran midfielder Olivier Echouafni a rest until the new year.
