/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2026%2F04%2Fimago1074850162-1.jpg)
With just one point separating the top two, Lens will resume their Ligue 1 title push when they travel to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Saturday to face arch-rivals Lille.
Les Dogues have climbed to fifth in the table with 47 points and are just two points behind Marseille in the race for a Champions League qualification spot.
Lens, meanwhile, sit second, one point behind Paris Saint-Germain despite having played a game more, and can hardly afford to drop points as the season approaches its climax.
Read our Lille vs Lens prediction, preview and betting tips. You can also check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Contents
Lille vs Lens key stats
- Lille have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five matches.
- Lens have won the first half in five of their last seven matches.
- Eight of the last 10 Lille's matches have produced fewer than three goals.
Lille vs Lens preview: Can the home side maintain their impressive form?
| Lille | vs | Lens |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | Position | 2nd |
| 47 | Points | 59 |
| 42 | Goals For | 54 |
| 34 | Goals Against | 24 |
| 8 | Clean Sheets | 10 |
| 10th | Home Rank | 1st |
| 3rd | Away Rank | 2nd |
After a torrid run of form at the start of the year - managing just one win from 10 matches across all competitions - Lille appeared short of ideas.
Their Europa League exit to Aston Villa means the league is now their only route to secure Champions League qualification, but their recent form offers encouragement.
Five of the last seven matches between the two sides have produced over 4.5 cards.
Les Dogues are unbeaten in their last seven Ligue 1 matches, winning four of them, and will also take confidence from having won each of their last three home meetings with Lens.
Hamza Igamane and Ousmane Toure remain sidelined, but Gaetan Perrin, Osame Sahraoui, Benjamin Andre and Ethan Mbappe have all returned to training, providing a timely boost for the hosts.
After the international break, Lens will be eager to quickly regain momentum as they push for what would be only the second league title in their history.
Their scheduled clash against PSG was postponed to allow the Parisians additional rest ahead of their Champions League tie with Liverpool, with the fixture now rearranged for May 13.
Lens have scored first in five of their last seven matches.
Attention now turns to this high-stakes derby, where Lens will aim to complete a league double over Lille, having secured a convincing 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture back in September.
Regis Gurtner, Jonathan Gradit and Kylian Antonio remain unavailable, while Ruben Aguilar, Samson Baidoo, Amadou Haidara and Wesley Said are all doubts for this encounter.
Lille vs Lens form guide & betting tips
| Lille | vs | Lens |
|---|---|---|
| W-W-D-W-W | League Form | L-D-W-L-W |
| 13 | Points | 7 |
| 2nd | Form Table | 9th |
| 7 | Goals For | 12 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 7 |
| W-W-D-W-W | Form (all comps) | L-D-W-L-W |
Whispers Predicts: Lille 1-1 Lens
It is a crucial fixture for Lens, who must aim to win their remaining matches and hope PSG slip up in the title race.
However, derby encounters bring a unique set of challenges, and Lille are currently enjoying a strong run of form. They are among the most in-form sides in the league and boast an impressive home record against Lens.
Taking all factors into account, a draw at 3.4 appears a likely outcome. Both teams carry an attacking threat, making BTTS – Yes at 1.67 an appealing option.
> Match result: Draw at 3.4 | Likelihood: Probable
> Lens to score first at 2.05 | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 2.5 goals at 2.0 | Likelihood: Possible
> BTTS - Yes at 1.67 | Likelihood: Possible