Lens vs Auxerre prediction, preview & betting tips – 22/08/26

French Super Cup winners and last year’s Ligue 1 runners-up RC Lens start the 2026/27 season on a high note, with Auxerre making the trip up north to Stade Bollert-Delelis on Saturday, 22 August.

Auxerre barely scraped through to safety last season, extending their top-flight stay to three consecutive seasons.

Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.

Lens vs Auxerre key stats

• Lens were Ligue 1’s best home team last term (W14, L3).
• The Blood and Gold conceded only 13 goals in 17 home matches in 2025/26.
• Auxerre ended 2025/26 with only one away win in their final five games.
• AJA won only two of 17 away league games last term.

Lens vs Auxerre preview: Blood and Gold for the win

Lens missed on the Ligue 1 title in 2025/26 by the narrowest of margins after PSG overpowered them.

However, they made up for it by winning Coupe de France, followed by the Trophee des Champions recently, beating PSG 1-0 to the title. It marked Dino Toppmoller’s first trophy in his first match in-charge.

The Blood and Gold also enjoyed a relatively successful pre-season, losing only one in seven games in normal time – 2-0 to Sunderland in their final friendly.

Lens have a huge absentee list, missing the likes of Kylian Antonio, Samson Baidoo, Nidal Celik, Jhoanner Chavez, Odsonne Edouard and Jonathan Gradit.

Auxerre have four players confirmed missing as well: Assane Diousse, Sekou Fofana, Bryan Okoh and Marvin Senaya. Francisco Sierralta and Telli Siwe are questionable to make an appearance.

AJA won their final three matches of the 2025/26 Ligue 1 season to escape relegation for the second time in four seasons.

A win here would see them register four consecutive league victories for the first time since March 2010.

Newly appointed manager Will Still will face his old club in his first match at the helm.

Lens vs Auxerre form guide & betting tips

Whispers predicts: Lens 3-1 Auxerre

Lens did the league double over Auxerre with the narrowest of victories last season. This time, the margin is expected to exceed one goal – Over 2.5 total goals at 13/8 (2.62) offers significant dividends.

Lens to win at 4/7 (1.57) carries considerable value. As reigning French Super Cup champions having beaten PSG 1-0, they undoubtedly hold the edge over Auxerre.

At home, Lens are a force to be reckoned with. The hosts ae expected to take an early lead, and perhaps hold it until half-time. Lens to win at HT at 23/20 (2.15) carries immense value.

Applying the same logic, Over 2.5 home goals at 9/5 (2.80) offers fantastic returns as well.

France Ligue 1 17/01/26

Lens

1

Auxerre

0

France Ligue 1 04/10/25

Auxerre

1

Lens

2

France Ligue 1 27/04/25

Lens

0

Auxerre

4

France Ligue 1 14/12/24

Auxerre

2

Lens

2

France Ligue 1 03/06/23

Auxerre

1

Lens

3