In a match of stark contrasts, league leaders RC Lens welcome relegation contenders Le Havre at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Friday, 30 January.
Keep close tabs on French Ligue 1 predictions after viewing our key Lens vs Le Havre tips below.
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Lens vs Le Havre prediction: Les Sang et Or to get back to winning ways
Key stats
- Lens have conceded the second-fewest goals this Ligue 1 season (16).
- The hosts have kept three clean sheets across their last five competitive matches.
- Le Havre have the best defensive record of all bottom-half teams (24 conceded).
- The visitors have scored the second-fewest goals this league campaign (16).
Correct score prediction: Lens 2-0 Le Havre
Lens were brought down to earth from cloud nine after Marseille ended their impressive eight-match winning streak in the French top-flight, with PSG reclaiming top spot after an early-season hiatus. The Blood and Gold will be delighted to return to home turf, where they’ve won each of their last nine games across all competitions.
In contrast, Didier Digard’s side have been in dismal form away from home, going winless in each of the last four (D2, L2). However, they can relish a three-match winless streak in Ligue 1 following their Coupe de France elimination by second-tier Amiens.
Lens’ formidable home form could prove daunting for Le Havre, who have won just once away from home all season. Expect Pierre Sage’s men to temporarily reclaim the top spot with a victory going into the weekend.
Pre-game odds and win probability: No doubts here
- HOME: 4/9 (1.44) – 69.4%
- DRAW: 19/5 (4.80) – 20.8%
- AWAY: 11/2 (6.50) – 15.3%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Lens trail PSG by two points after their defeat in Marseille, and visiting Le Havre could be a welcome sight on home turf, as bookmakers expect. Priced at 4/9 (1.44), their chances of victory stands at 69.4%.
Le Havre haven’t netted a single strike away from home in three of their last four Ligue 1 trips. The visitors are backed by odds of 11/2 (6.50) – indicating a win probability rate of 15.3%.
Don’t forget to check out more of our football betting tips page after analysing our Lens vs Le Havre predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: Lens on top
Lens are undefeated in four of their five latest Ligue 1 meetings with Le Havre, whose only H2H victory (W4-3) in that span came here at Stade Bollaet-Delelis in March 2025.
France Ligue 1 24/08/25
Le Havre
Lens
France Ligue 1 01/03/25
Lens
Le Havre
France Ligue 1 12/01/25
Le Havre
Lens
France Ligue 1 06/04/24
Lens
Le Havre
France Ligue 1 20/10/23
Le Havre
Lens
Lens preview: Can they pile pressure on PSG?
Jhoanner Chavez, Regis Gurtner, Samson Baidoo and Jonathan Gradit are the confirmed absentees for Pierre Sage and co. Amadou Haidara is lacking match fitness, while Morgan Guilavogui is suspended for accumulation of yellow cards.
Predicted lineup: Risser (GK), Ganiou, Sarr, Abdulhamid, Aguilar, Thomasson, Bulatovic, Udol, Thuavin, Said & Edouard
Last five matches:
- Marseille 3-1 Lens (Ligue 1)
- Lens 1-0 Auxerre (Ligue 1)
- Sochaux 0-3 Lens (Coupe de France)
- Toulouse 0-3 Lens (Ligue 1)
- Lens 3-1 Feignies-Aulnoye (Coupe de France)
Le Havre preview: Can the visitors avoid defeat?
Several players are missing for Le Havre, including Reda Khedra, Gautier Lloris, Abdoulaye Toure and Stephan Zagadou.
Predicted lineup: Mpasi-Nzau (GK), Sangante, Seko, Ndiaye, Nego, Ebonog, Gourna-Douath, Boufal, Mambimbi, Samatta, Soumare
Last five matches:
- Le Havre 0-0 Monaco (Ligue 1)
- Rennes 1-1 Le Havre (Ligue 1)
- Le Havre 2-1 Angers (Ligue 1)
- Le Havre 0-2 Amiens (Coupe de France)
- Lyon 1-0 Le Havre (Ligue 1)
Player to watch: Rayan Fofana
Although Fofana is not expected to start against Le Havre, despite his consolation strike in the 3-1 loss to Marseille, Pierre Sage could bring him on in the second period to bolster Lens’ attack. The 19-year-old Lens youth product, who made his Ligue 1 debut in the 4-3 loss to Le Havre back in 2025, struck the winner in the reverse 2-1 victory this season over the visitors, and could find the back of the net in successive games if given enough exposure.