Toulouse Lens prediction 2024-01-28

Toulouse vs Lens prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-01-27 16:05.
Toulouse finally broke their ten-match winless run in Ligue 1 action (D5, L5) when they saw off fellow relegation candidates Metz 1-0 thanks to a first-half penalty. Even with that victory though, the hosts remain in a perilous position, hovering just one point above the relegation play-off spot ahead of this matchday after their return of just three wins across 18 attempts in France’s top-flight so far this campaign (D8, L7).

Given their current form, it’s unlikely that Toulouse will be excited to act as hosts for a rejuvenated Lens side this time around then, especially given they’ve lost each of the last five league H2Hs. Four of those clashes saw Le Téfécé fail to score, something that could be deemed likely to happen again this weekend, as they remain Ligue 1’s joint-second lowest scorers with just 16 goals to their name this campaign.

As for visiting Lens, a 2-0 loss to PSG last time out made it back-to-back league defeats against Ligue 1’s current top two which will undoubtedly have dampened spirits. But a prior 11-match undefeated top-flight streak (W7, D4) means that they’re still well-placed to make a push towards the European qualification spots once again this campaign.

Improvement is probably necessary on the road to achieve that, as Lens have won just two of their nine away league trips to date (D3, L4), even despite keeping a league-high five clean sheets across those games. A return to Stadium de Toulouse could inspire some additional confidence at least, as Lens have now lost on just one of their past nine visits to this venue in league action (W4, D4), including a 1-0 victory last season.

Players to watch: Thijs Dallinga has had a fine season with ten goals, seven of which served as Toulouse’s first of the game. Looking to upstage him will be Lens’ Wesley Saïd who has four league strikes to his name this term, including one in the reverse.

Hot stat: Just six of Lens’ 18 Ligue 1 matches have seen both teams score this season – the second-fewest ahead of this matchday.