Lens vs Lorient prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-05-02 19:00.
[p]Manager Franck Haise admits Lens are “paying the price” for some error-strewn performances as they cling on to a European qualification spot. The Blood and Gold, now sixth in the table, hold just a two-point advantage over the chasing pack, after a 2-1 defeat to nearest challengers Marseille last weekend has left fans nervously looking over their shoulders.[/p]
[p]It would be hugely frustrating for the hosts if they were to miss out on continental football, given they only returned to European competition this season after a 16-year absence. A run of four defeats from their last six outings (W1, D1) suggests that they have lost form at precisely the wrong time, but confidence can perhaps be drawn from the fact their remaining three fixtures are all against teams who start this round beneath them in the table.[/p]
[p]The first of those is against Lorient, who head to Stade Bollaert-Delelis desperate for victories in their relegation battle. A 2-1 defeat to Toulouse last time out was a fifth loss in a row for ​​Régis Le Bris’ side, who are now three points from safety, a gap that will prove impossible to bridge unless they can somehow get back to winning ways.[/p]
[p]It has been an alarming dip for Merlucciidaes, who have picked up just a solitary draw in seven outings since beating Rennes in early March (D1, L6). If it is any crumb of comfort to worried supporters, three of their last four successes have come away from home, but Lorient have a shocking record in recent meetings with Lens, against whom they have lost six of the last nine H2Hs (W1, D2).[/p]
[p]Key battle: Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba is unbeaten in his four personal H2Hs (W3, D1), managing a pair of clean sheets in the process. Looking to put a dent in that record will be  Lorient midfielder Julien Ponceau, who netted for the third time this campaign against Toulouse, meaning nine of the 12 goals he has scored have come before half-time.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Lorient’s six league victories this season have all come in games when they have scored first (D3, L2), whereas they have lost 15 of 18 matches after going 1-0 down (D3).[/p]