Arsenal vs Lens prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-11-28 20:00.
A 1-0 win over Brentford on Saturday ensured Arsenal ended the Premier League weekend looking down on the rest as it was enough to lift them to the summit. The result left boss Mikel Arteta “delighted”, but he won’t be celebrating that win for too long as they’ve got UEFA Champions League (UCL) matters to attend to, where they know avoiding defeat against Lens will be enough to secure their spot in the knockouts.
While the bookmakers’ heavy odds in Arsenal’s favour would suggest that should be a mere formality, their H2H history against Lens in the UCL tells a slightly different story (D1, L2). The Gunners have faced no opponent more often in this competition without winning, but with nine victories from their last 12 European home games (D2, L1), there appears no time like the present for Arsenal to end that.
Lens should make the trip to the English capital in high spirits, after a 3-0 win over Clermont extended their unbeaten league run to eight games. They’ve largely managed to transfer that form onto the European front this term (W1, D2, L1), but a 2-1 defeat in their last UCL game against PSV leaves them needing to surpass the Dutch outfit’s points total due to an inferior H2H record, complicating their qualification bid somewhat.
Interestingly, Lens have never faced any other English club in the UCL besides Arsenal, and after coming from behind to win the reverse fixture 2-1, they’re eyeing up a group stage double. To do so though, they’ll have to end a dreadful 13-match winless run away from home in European action (D7, L6), but with four clean sheets from their last five games, they still promise to be a tough opponent.
Players to watch: Kai Havertz came off the bench to win Arsenal the game against Brentford with his first open play goal since moving to north London in the summer, but he’s yet to open his account at the Emirates. Lens’ Elye Wahi also has a keen eye for decisive goals, as Clermont found out at the weekend and Arsenal found out in the reverse fixture.
Hot stat: Nine of Lens’ last ten UCL matches have seen both teams score.