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Lens and Sporting CP will both be aiming to turn their winning starts into a stronger position in the Champions League league phase when they meet at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Tuesday.
The French hosts arrive after an eventful European victory over Slavia Prague, while the Portuguese visitors also collected three points on Matchday 1 by overcoming Galatasaray, setting up an intriguing contest between two sides with attacking potential.
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. Sporting key stats
- Luis Suarez has found the net in each of his last seven matches for Sporting, scoring eight times during that spell.
- Lens have not lost any of their last 10 home games in European competition (W7, D3).
- Sporting are unbeaten in their nine competitive matches this season (W6, D3).
- Over 2.5 goals has landed in seven of Sporting’s nine outings this term.
Lens vs. Sporting preview: Two sides aiming to build on opening day victories
Lens vs Sporting — Tale of the Tape
| Lens | vs | Sporting |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (Ligue 1) | Position | 3rd (Primeira Liga) |
| 7 | Points | 18 |
| 11 | Goals For | 20 |
| 10 | Goals Against | 9 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 2 |
| 7th (H) | Home / Away Rank | 4th (A) |
Lens head into this fixture with renewed confidence after a 2-1 Ligue 1 victory over Lyon, a result that gave Yannick Cahuzac his first win since taking over from Dino Toppmoller.
Cahuzac's appointment has given the French side a fresh opportunity to establish greater consistency, although their early domestic results suggest there is still room for improvement after they managed only two wins in their first six league matches.
Les Sang et Or’s European campaign had already delivered plenty of drama, after recovering from falling behind twice against Slavia Prague before finding a late winner in a thrilling 3-2 success.
Lens are looking to improve on their previous Champions League campaign in 2023-24, when they finished third in a group containing Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven and Sevilla after recording two wins and two draws.
The Lions are making their 13th appearance in the Champions League proper, and a fifth in six seasons, with this edition kicking off in perfect fashion despite a slow start against Galatasaray.
Goncalo Inacio's own goal put the Portuguese side under pressure against Cim Bom before they rallied to win 3-1, courtesy of goals from Geny Catamo, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo Zalazar.
The Lisbon club enjoyed an impressive European campaign last season, finishing seventh in the league phase before exiting in the quarter-finals following defeat to Arsenal.
Sporting arrive this encounter after a convincing 3-1 league victory over Braga, although their record on the road in continental competition offers a potential opening for Lens to exploit if the visitors struggle to impose themselves away from Lisbon.
Lens vs. Sporting form guide & betting tips
| Lens | vs | Sporting |
|---|---|---|
WDLWW |
Form | WWDDW |
| 10 | Goals For | 11 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 5 |
W |
UEFA Champions League | W |
Whispers predicts: Lens 2-2 Sporting
Both teams to score – Yes at 1.50 (1/2) looks a strong option given Sporting's recent pattern of open European matches, while the hosts should have enough attacking ambition to create opportunities of their own.
Over 2.5 goals at 1.57 (4/7) is also appealing, particularly with Sporting's recent matches frequently producing multiple goals and Lens having already been involved in a five-goal Champions League contest this season.
Luis Suarez is worth considering in the anytime goalscorer market at 2.50 (6/4), with the striker in excellent scoring form and Sporting likely to create opportunities for him in the final third.
A 2-2 draw is an attractive correct-score option at 6.50 (11/2), as Lens can make the most of their home advantage but Sporting possess the attacking quality to respond, making it difficult to confidently back either side to take all three points.
> Both teams to score – Yes a1 1.50 (1/2) | Likelihood: Probale
> Over 2.5 goals at 1.57 (4/7) | Likelihood: Probable
> Anytime goalscorer – Luis Suarez at 2.50 (6/4) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score – Lens 2-2 Sporting at 12.00 (11/1) | Likelihood: Outsider
> [BET] at [ODDS] | Likelihood: [LIKELIHOOD]