Lens are in danger of seeing their gap to league leaders Paris Saint-Germain extend beyond their reach as the race for points heats up in Ligue 1. A win is of utmost importance for the Blood and Gold as Angers visit Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Friday evening.
Occupying 12th position, Angers enter this clash following four defeats across their last five league fixtures. A top half finish, which they haven’t achieved since 2015/16, is their objective.
View our Lens vs Angers preview, prediction and betting tips. Into the bargain, don’t forget to check out more expect prediction on our football betting tips page.
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Lens vs Angers key stats
- Lens have won just one of their last four league outings (D1, L2).
- Each of their last six H2Hs have ended in Lens’ favour.
- Angers have attempted the least shots in the top-flight this campaign (242).
Lens vs Angers preview: Les Sang et Or to return to winning ways
| Lens | vs | Angers |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | Position | 12th |
| 56 | Points | 32 |
| 49 | Goals For | 23 |
| 23 | Goals Against | 32 |
| 10 | Clean Sheets | 9 |
| 1st | Home Rank | 12th |
| 2nd | Away Rank | 12th |
*Figures accurate at the time of publishing.
Lens were dealt a harsh blow to their Ligue 1 title hopes last time out. Lorient came away with a 2-1 victory at Stade du Moustoir, inflicting Lens’ third winless game in five outings. The hosts are in search of their first Ligue 1 title since 1997/98.
In fact, the loss to Lorient meant that league leaders Paris Saint-Germain now lead by a single point with an extra game in hand. The Parisians’ clash against Nantes was postponed due to their Champions League clash with Chelsea.
Lens have won 33 out of 39 possible points on home turf - the best home record in Ligue 1.
Pierre Sage will rue his side’s misfortunes in recent games. However, they will welcome Angers with open arms after beating them in each of their last six meetings. Moreover, Lens have lost only once in 13 meetings against sides currently in the bottom half of the table.
The hosts are expected to miss a host of players, including marksman Wesley Said, Jonathan Gradit and Kyllian Antonio, among others.
Meanwhile, Angers visit Stade Bollaert-Delelis enduring one of the league’s poorest forms. They have lost four of their last five games and are in desperate need of points to secure a top half finish.
Angers are 12th in the away table, having won just 12 points in 13 trips.
Angers lost 2-0 to Nice in their last match, marking their fourth defeat in five league games.
Les Scoistes have had a horrid time away from home as well. They are winless in four of their last five Ligue 1 trips. However, they will be relieved that their only win in this span came at Nantes in their last trip.
Alexander Dujeux’s men are at nearly full strength, with Carlens Arcus and Jacques Ekomie their only absentees.
Lens vs Angers form guide & betting tips
| Lens | vs | Angers |
|---|---|---|
| L-D-W-W-L | Form | L-L-L-W-L |
| 7 | Points | 3 |
| 8th | Form Table | 17th |
| 7 | Goals For | 3 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 7 |
Whispers Predicts: Lens 3-0 Angers
Five of Lens’ last six league games have featured over 2.5 total goals, meaning it would be wise to vouch a high-scoring encounter at Bollaert-Delelis.
Backing Florian Thauvin to score or assist anytime at 8/5 also makes sense, given he’s been involved in four goal and two assists in his last seven competitive appearances. Although the French winger ended up on the losing side against Lorient, he had five shots and nine touches in the opposition box.
None of Angers’ last eight Ligue 1 games saw both teams score. Valuing a BTTS – No at 3/4 provides little but significant value.
> Over 2.5 total goals at 4/6 | Likelihood: Very Likely
> Thauvin to score or assist anytime at 8/5 | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS - No at 3/4 | Likelihood: Probable