Lens vs Marseille prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-11-11 19:45.
Lens manager Franck Haise was unhappy with the officiating in his sideâs 1-0 UEFA Champions League loss to PSV on Wednesday, pointing out that his side committed ten fouls and earned nine yellow cards, comparing that with PSVâs 19 fouls and two yellows. Theyâre still in with a shot at the knockouts and are unbeaten in six Ligue 1 matches (W3, D3), so the mood shouldnât be too downbeat as they welcome Marseille.
Furthermore, his club has only lost one of their last 13 home league fixtures (W9, D3) including a 2-1 H2H win in last seasonâs corresponding fixture, although that was their first H2H win here since their return to the top flight (D1, L1). But having conceded first in three of their last four home league games (W2, D1, L1), âLes Sang et Orâ have often made things difficult for themselves.
Marseille are guaranteed post-Christmas European football after beating AEK Athens 2-0 on Thursday to make it three matches unbeaten in all competitions (W2, D1). They will soon face some fixture congestion with their postponed game against Lyon set to be played in early December but will be relieved that they face no sporting penalty for the attack on Lyonâs team bus last month.
Gennaro Gattusoâs side enter this clash one place ahead of Lens with that game in hand, and thatâs despite notching up eight consecutive winless league away fixtures (D2, L6), beginning with that 2-1 defeat here last term. Thatâs Les PhocĂ©ensâ longest such sequence since a run of ten Ligue 1 road games without a win that ended in April 2021 and included a 2-2 draw here.
Players to watch: Both Florian Sotoca (LEN) and IsmaĂŻla Sarr (MAR) have scored 25% of their sidesâ league goals this term (three). Two of the formerâs were from the penalty spot at home while the latter has netted three competitive goals out of four this term after the 60th minute.
Hot stat: After matchday 11, Lens had collected more Ligue 1 bookings than any other side (29), an average of 2.64 per game.