Lens vs Monaco prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-04-21 19:00.
Lens missed out on a chance to move within three points of leaders and opponents Paris Saint-Germain last time out after going down 3-1 at the Parc des Princes, and instead, they were leapfrogged by Marseille into second spot. Salis Abdul Samed's 19th-minute dismissal didn't help their cause, and his absence could weigh on this match as Lens have not won either of the two Ligue 1 games he has missed this season (D1, L1).
One of those two games was the Blood and Gold's only league defeat at Stade Bollaert-Delelis this campaign, which says a lot about Lens' home performances this season (W13, D1, L1). Manager Frank Haise must now avoid consecutive league losses for the first time in over a year if his side are to extend their two-point gap to fourth-placed Monaco, and keep alive their UEFA Champions League aspirations.
It is much easier to be the hunter than the hunted, and the Monegasques travel to the north of France with confidence after a four-game unbeaten run (W3, D1), culminating in a 3-1 victory over Lorient last weekend. After that win, manager Philippe Clement said: “These are games that we need to repeat against the big teams” and this matchup against Lens is the perfect occasion to put words into action, as they could leapfrog their opponents in the table with a win.
Playing away from home surely won’t bother Clement’s men too much as they’ve lost only one of their league road trips this campaign (W9, D5), although they failed to win their previous three away outings against current top-half teams (D2, L1). Monaco have enjoyed success at this venue, too, avoiding defeat in their last seven visits here (W3, D4), while scoring an average of 2.4 goals per game!
Players to watch: Lens’ captain Seko Fofana has led his team to victory with his last seven goalscoring Ligue 1 appearances, including their 4-1 H2H win back in August. Aiming to eclipse him will be Monaco’s top scorer Wissam Ben Yedder (G17), although Lens are the team he has faced the most often in Ligue 1 without ever winning (D2, L5).
Hot streak: Lens have failed to win their three Ligue 1 matches officiated by François Letexier (D2, L1), including their single home loss.