Lens vs Angers prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-03-17 20:00.
In what was Lens’ largest win in 16 months, Loïs Openda scored the fastest hat-trick in Ligue 1 history when striking three times in only 4 minutes and 30 seconds to help his team secure a comfortable 4-0 win at Clermont last weekend. The Blood and Gold started this round two points away from second-placed Marseille, meaning they could provisionally leapfrog Marseille if they claim back-to-back victories for the first time since the World Cup break.
Fans therefore may be dreaming of a first UEFA Champions League appearance since 2002/03, and the visit of struggling Angers is perhaps timely after seeing Lens secure a brace of 2-1 wins across the previous two H2Hs. Performances at Stade Bollaert-Delelis could continue to be key to achieve that feat for Lens, with only league leaders PSG registering more than their 34 home points in Ligue 1 so far (W11, D1, L1).
After suffering their 21st loss in 27 Ligue 1 rounds (W2, D4) against Toulouse on Sunday (2-0), Angers’ hopes of keeping their top-flight status next season appear over. With just ten league points so far, the Scoïstes are still in contention for beating the unenviable record for the worst point total in a French first division campaign in the three-points a win era, held by none other than Lens – 17 points in the 1988/89 season.
Considering the current situation, Angers owner Saïd Chabane has been looking to sell the club for several months, with famous influencer Arkunir proposing – somewhat tongue in cheek – to his nearly 800,000 Twitter followers last weekend to chip in 15 Euros each to purchase the club. On a slightly more positive note, Angers’ trips to Lens have traditionally been successful, with an unbeaten run of five games at this venue (W2, D3).
Players to watch: Florian Sotoca has contributed to nine of Lens’ 26 home goals this Ligue 1 campaign (G6, A3). Aiming to eclipse him will be Amine Salama, who has scored all three of his goals with Angers this season after the break, including two coming away from home.
Hot stat: Lens are one of two Ligue 1 sides yet to drop points after the 75th minute.