Lens vs Nantes prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-11-08 18:00.
[p]Lens haven’t lost three successive Ligue 1 games since their return to the top flight in 2020/21, but some unwanted history could be written here after defeats to Lille (2-0) and Paris Saint-Germain (1-0). Nantes’ visit is perhaps a timely one then, as Lens haven’t lost against this opponent in their last five league H2Hs (W3, D2), a sequence which included a double last term.[/p]
[p]Lens were only one point off the European qualification places heading into this weekend, but that’s also at risk after they failed to both win and score in their last three Ligue 1 home encounters – something which last happened in 2014/15. On a more positive note, they are generally very solid defensively at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, having kept five clean sheets in their last seven league matches as hosts (W3, D3, L1). [/p]
[p]Another thing to lift Lens’ spirits is that Nantes are doing significantly worse, heaping the pressure on head coach Antoine KombouarĂ© by having not won any of their last seven games (D3, L4). That form means that Nantes start the round above the bottom three on goal difference only, a situation partly caused by dropping nine points from winning positions earlier in the campaign – the joint-highest total in Ligue 1 this season after matchday ten.[/p]
[p]Ex-Lens boss Kombouaré has lost just one of his last 12 career meetings with his next opponents (W5, D6), a run which includes Nantes’ last two H2H wins during his previous spell in charge of the club. The 60-year-old should be emphasising the importance of being resolute here as his side have conceded the match opener inside 25 minutes in three of their last four league encounters. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Andy Diouf has been involved in two of Lens’ last three goals (G1, A1) – more goals than he contributed to in his previous 37 Ligue 1 matches (G1)! Last Sunday, Tino Kadewere recorded his first goal since joining Nantes permanently in the summer, but that game against Marseille (2-1) ended a run of 17 club scoring appearances for the Zimbabwean without being on the losing side (W14, D3). [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Lens haven’t conceded before half-time at home in Ligue 1 this season, but they haven’t scored after the break. [/p]
[p]Written by Alex Bowmer[/p]