Lens vs Auxerre prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-01-13 16:00.
Lens couldn’t follow up beating Paris Saint-Germain with anything more than a 2-2 draw against Strasbourg on Wednesday as they dropped six points behind the Ligue 1 leaders. Though still unbeaten in eight league games (W6, D2), three points against relegation-threatened Auxerre now seems non-negotiable for second-placed Lens if they are to mount a title challenge.
You’d be brave to bet against Lens doing so given nobody’s been able to overcome them here this term, as they’ve won all nine home Ligue 1 fixtures while scoring an impressive average of 2.33 goals per game. In fact, no other team across Europe’s top five leagues still boast a 100% home record and as they’ve only lost one of the last 11 home H2Hs (W8, D2), Lens ought to be confident of extending that run here.
Auxerre plummeted to new depths on Wednesday as they conceded five times at home in Ligue 1 (L 5-0 v Toulouse) for the first time ever during what was their fourth straight league defeat. Just two points behind the side in 16th place, survival will undoubtedly depend on them shoring up the league’s worst defence, which has conceded an average of 2.22 goals per game.
That dismal record looks set to get worse given that Auxerre have conceded at least four times in each of their three away league games (L3) against sides currently in the top seven this term, so their chances of securing a first Ligue 1 road win in eight attempts appear slim (D1, L6). Some of the blame for that dismal run can perhaps be portioned to the fact Auxerre are yet to open the scoring on the road in league action this term, but given both of these sides’ games on Wednesday saw at least three first-half strikes, now might be an ideal time to change that.
Players to watch: Loïs Openda netted between the 25th and 35th minute in each of Lens’ last two league matches and while Auxerre’s M’baye Niang has scored three L1 goals this term, he might be more likely to pick up a card as he’s collected four this campaign (2Y, 2R).
Hot stat: In Ligue 1, no side has spent less time trailing at home this term than Lens (2.6%), while no team has led on the road for less time than Auxerre (1.9%).