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Lens and Lyon return to Ligue 1 action on Friday evening with the visitors aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Paulo Fonseca's men sit second after five matches, while the hosts are down in 15th after collecting just four points.
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 Lyon key stats
- Lens have scored nine goals but have also conceded nine in their first five league matches.
- Eleven of Lyon’s last 15 games in all competitions produced over 2.5 total goals.
- Three of Lyon’s last five away matches have seen both teams score.
Lens vs Lyon preview: Unbeaten visitors face struggling Lens
Lens vs Lyon — Tale of the Tape
| Lens | vs | Lyon |
|---|---|---|
| 15th | Position | 2nd |
| 4 | Points | 11 |
| 9 | Goals For | 10 |
| 9 | Goals Against | 2 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 3 |
| 11th (H) | Home / Away Rank | 5th (A) |
Lens have endured a difficult opening to the Ligue 1 season, collecting only four points from their first five matches.
They began with a win but have subsequently struggled to maintain momentum, losing three of their last four league games.
Yannick Cahuzac's side were beaten 2-1 away to Monaco in their most recent league fixture, meaning they now return to Stade Bollaert-Delelis under pressure to produce a response.
The defensive record is a particular concern, with nine goals conceded already, although their own nine-goal return suggests they have enough attacking threat to cause Lyon problems.
Lens also have several injury concerns heading into the contest, with Amadou Haidara and Yacine Titraoui among those unavailable, while Samson Baidoo is listed as unavailable for with a thigh problem.
Maik Nawrocki is out with an ACL injury, Jhoanner Chavez is dealing with a hamstring problem, and Saud Abdulhamid is recovering from a knock.
Meanwhile, Lyon arrive in considerably better shape, having gone unbeaten through their first five Ligue 1 fixtures, winning three and drawing two.
They are second in the table on 11 points, two behind leaders Monaco, and a victory in Lens would put them in position to move to the summit depending on other results.
Lyon's 4-0 victory over Rennes before the international break was their most impressive result of the campaign so far, taking their league tally to 10 goals while maintaining the division's best defensive record.
That balance could prove decisive against Lens, although the head-to-head record provides some encouragement for the hosts.
Lens have won four of their last six Ligue 1 meetings with Lyon, including a 4-0 victory in Lyon last season.
Lyon are expected to be without Moussa Niakhate due to a hamstring injury, while Nicolas Tagliafico is out with a muscle issue.
Lens vs Lyon form guide & betting tips
| Lens | vs | Lyon |
|---|---|---|
WLLDL |
Form | WDWDW |
| 4 | Points | 11 |
| 15th | Form Table | 2nd |
| 9 | Goals For | 10 |
| 9 | Goals Against | 2 |
LWDLW |
Form (All Comps) | DWDWW |
Whispers predicts: Lens 1-2 Lyon
Lyon have been the more consistent side over the opening five rounds, remaining unbeaten while scoring 10 goals and conceding just twice, which is why backing an away win at 7/4 (2.75) is smart business.
However, while Lens have not been as reliable defensively, they have still scored nine goals in five league matches and we believe they will also breach the visitors’ net, which is why backing both teams to score at 1/2 (1.50) is a good option.
We expect Lens to make this competitive, but Lyon's stronger defensive structure and superior early-season form should eventually tell. A 2-1 away victory is our correct-score prediction, and it is priced at 9/1 (10.00).
> Both teams to score at 1/2 (1.50) | Likelihood: High
> Over 2.5 goals at 8/13 (1.64) | Likelihood: Medium
> Lyon win at 7/4 (2.75) | Likelihood: Medium
> Correct score: Lens 1-2 Lyon at 9/1 (10.00 | Likelihood: Low