Lens vs Reims prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-12-15 20:00.
Lens enter this new Ligue 1 matchday with a sense of accomplishment as their 2-1 victory against Sevilla in the UEFA Champions League in midweek ensured their participation in the UEFA Europa League knockout play-off round. Franck Haise's men can now shift their attention back to the league, where they find themselves out of the European qualification spots on goal difference.
A 0-0 draw at Montpellier last weekend extended their unbeaten streak in Ligue 1 to ten games (W6, D4), a run currently equalled only by league leaders Paris Saint-Germain. There will be plenty of motivation for the Blood and Gold to go for the win here, as three points could lift them into the top five for the first time this season, and with their last H2H home loss in the top flight coming all the way back in 1962 (W9, D3 since), confidence should be high.
Ending this sequence is a priority for Reims, especially after losing three of their last four matches in Ligue 1 (W1), with their 2-1 defeat to Nice last Sunday proving especially “frustrating” for head coach Will Still. The Champagne-based club have also been hit by terrible news this week as Still, who reportedly met with officials of English side Sunderland over the vacant head coaching role.
With just goal difference separating Reims from their hosts, this match seemingly holds great significance in their quest for European qualification, although a five-point cushion over ninth-placed Nantes ensures that they will be eighth at worst by the end of the weekend. It could be another all-or-nothing result here, as the Red and Whites have not recorded a single draw in the last five league games on their travels that have seen them start as underdogs (W2, L3).
Players to watch: Lens may get off to a good start through Florian Sotoca, as he got his team off the mark in his last seven Ligue 1 scoring appearances, including at Reims in a 2-1 victory in May last year. Teddy Teuma will be closely watched by his opponents knowing that both of his player-of-the-match performances this term came on the road, contributing to five goals in the process (G3, A2).
Hot stat: Reims are one of just two Ligue 1 teams yet to trail at half-time in an away league game this term (HT: W2, D6).