One of Ligue 1’s most storied derbies between RC Lens and LOSC Lille takes place for the 103rd time, as Stade Bollaert-Delelis prepares for another Derby du Nord clash on Saturday, 20 September.
Keep close tabs on French Ligue 1 predictions after viewing our key Lens vs Lille tips below.
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Lens vs Lille prediction: Derby du Nord battle to sway in Lille's favour
Key stats
- Lens have scored five goals in their opening four Ligue 1 fixtures (W2, L2).
- Les Sang et Or have recorded seven home league defeats in 2025, one less than their club record.
- Lille have just two clean sheets in their last 11 top-flight games.
Correct score prediction: Lens 1-3 Lille
Lens have had a mixed start to the new campaign, winning and losing two each across their opening four Ligue 1 fixtures. Paris Saint-Germain most recently inflicted a 2-0 defeat on Lens, halting a streak of successive victories, before which Lyon beat them 1-0 on the opening matchday.
Pierre Sage’s men have already lost seven league games in 2025 and could equal their highest total in a calendar year since 1950 and 1988.
Lille enter this clash on a three-match win streak and unbeaten in four since the season’s start. Les Dogues have been exceptional in recent games, although they needed two stoppage-time strikes to overcome Toulouse in their previous outing.
The momentum is clearly with Bruno Genesio’s team, who could make it four wins in their first five matches of the season for the first time since 1952/53.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Very little to separate the rivals
- HOME: 29/20 (2.45) – 40.8%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
- AWAY: 17/10 (2.70) – 37%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Following their defeat to PSG, Lens will look to get back to winning ways at home. Considering their form, they are surprisingly backed by positive 29/20 (2.45) odds, indicating a 40.8% probability of emerging triumphant.
On the other hand, Lille could make it four wins in a row if they upset the hosts in their biggest derby clash. The visitors are priced at 17/10 (2.70). They carry a 37% chance of success in their favour.
Visit our football betting tips page for more free predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: Lille with the bragging rights
Lille have won each of their last three Derby du Nord meetings against Lens, and have the chance to set a H2H record with a fourth straight victory. A 2-1 win in April 2022 remains Lens’ last H2H victory.
France Ligue 1 30/03/25
Lille
Lens
France Ligue 1 26/10/24
Lens
Lille
France Ligue 1 29/03/24
Lille
Lens
France Ligue 1 08/10/23
Lens
Lille
France Ligue 1 04/03/23
Lens
Lille
Lens preview: Can they claim a rare victory?
Pierre Sage will miss the services of Deiver Machado. Meanwhile, Jhoanner Chavez is also questionable to star on derby day.
Predicted lineup: Risser (GK), Gradit, Baidoo, Sarr; Aguilar, Sangare, Thomasson, Udol, Thauvin, Said & Fofana
Last five matches:
- PSG 2-0 Lens (Ligue 1)
- Lens 3-1 Brest (Ligue 1)
- Le Havre 1-2 Lens (Ligue 1)
- Lens 0-1 Lyon (Ligue 1)
- Lens 2-1 RB Leipzig (Club Friendly)
Lille preview: A fourth consecutive derby win?
Alexsandro, Thomas Meunier and Ousmane Toure are all confirmed absentees, while Marc Caillard and Hakon Haraldsson are both doubtful to appear due to their respective injuries.
Predicted lineup: Ozerl (GK), Mandi, Ngoy, Mbemba, Perraud, Andre, Bentaleb, Fernandez-Pardo, Mukau, Sahraoui & Giroud
Last five matches:
- Lille 2-1 Toulouse (Ligue 1)
- Lorient 1-7 Lille (Ligue 1)
- Lille 1-0 Monaco (Ligue 1)
- Brest 3-3 Lille (Ligue 1)
West Ham United 2-1 Lille (Club Friendly)
Player to watch: Osame Sahraoui
Although Olivier Giroud remains’ Lille’s most concrete threat upfront, Sahraoui has stood out in recent matchdays following his return from injury. The Moroccan appeared for a combined 17 minutes in the final minutes of Lille’s games against Lorient and Toulouse, and it didn’t take long for him to make an impact.
He netted Lille’s final goal in the 7-1 thrashing against the former, and then provided a remarkable assist for Ethan Mbappe’s match-winning 95th-minute strike against the latter.