Lille vs Lens prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2022-10-08 18:45.
Despite these two clubs almost merging in the 1990’s, the highly contested Derby du Nord will rear its head again for the 116th time on Sunday with Lille trailing Lens by eight points after nine Ligue 1 games. Lille can perhaps point to a lack of consistency as to why they trail their rivals by a considerable margin at such an early stage, with their eight games following their 4-1 opening day win against Auxerre all differing from the one prior in terms of results (W4, D1, L4).
Having lost their last game against Lorient (2-1), perhaps it’s a blessing that this game falls when it does, as the form book would indicate a swift return to points. Yet having been beaten home and away by Lens in Ligue 1 last season, Lille now face the very real possibility of losing three-successive top-flight H2Hs for the first time since a run of four between 1976-1979.
If Lille’s start has been indifferent, Lens’ has been anything but as they remain one of just three unbeaten teams in the French top-flight after nine rounds (W6, D3). Having narrowly missed out on securing a European spot last season, Lens are keen to right the wrongs of the last campaign, but drawing three of their four away league games this term very clearly highlights where improvements can be made.
One thing Lens certainly don’t have difficulty with is scoring late league goals, winning three points this season courtesy of goals in the final ten minutes, a Ligue 1 high ahead of the round. Those points have helped directly contribute to Lens’ best-ever start to a top-flight campaign in the three points per win era, though they can perhaps count themselves a little unlucky as they are only the second team in history to sit outside of the top-two with 21 points after nine games!
Players to watch: Lille’s Jonathan David has scored the second goal of the game in three of his four scoring appearances this season, while Lens may look to Loïs Openda for some late intervention, considering he’s scored their last goal in his last three scoring appearances.
Hot stat: Lille have conceded an average of 2.5 goals per game across their last six home league outings.