Lens vs Rennes prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2022-08-26 19:00.
Lens (W2, D1) have started this campaign as they ended the last with their 11-game Ligue 1 unbeaten run now stretching back to April (W7, D4). Their impressive 4-1 win at Monaco saw them briefly top the standings, and after making their best three-game top-flight start since 2004/05, their quest to improve from last term – when they just missed out on European qualification – has started well.
Recent home matches have featured plenty of goals at both ends as Lens conceded exactly twice in each of their last three Ligue 1 games here (W1, D2). As they’ve only conceded once in the last four home league H2Hs (W1, D2, L1), a better defensive performance could help goalkeeper Brice Samba, a summer signing from Nottingham Forest, achieve his second clean sheet of the season.
Following their recent European adventures and fourth-place finish last term, Rennes have been working on retaining key players with Martin Terrier and Birger Meling reportedly set to sign contract extensions. However, Gaëtan Laborde and others are arousing interest from elsewhere so they could be busy as the transfer market closes.
On the pitch, it’s been a mixed bag (W1, D1, L1), and as they’re yet to concede before half-time, they should at least start strongly. If they’re to challenge for a return to the UEFA Champions League, which they last managed in 2019/20, then picking up away points will be vital but there’s no guarantee they’ll do so here with no win in four Ligue 1 away fixtures (D2, L2).
Players to watch: Lens’ Florian Sotoca’s last eight goalscoring games were in matches producing over 2.5 goals while the same is true for each of Terrier’s last five goalscoring appearances for Rennes.
Hot streak: Each of Rennes’ last eight league away fixtures (and Lens’ last three at home) saw both sides score.