Lille vs Lens prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-03-28 20:00.
[p]Ligue 1 resumes following the international break with a cracker as Lille host Lens in the Derby du Nord, with lots riding on the outcome as both sides push hard for a UEFA Champions League place next season. Fourth-placed Lille are currently a point above their upcoming opponents, having drawn 1-1 at high-flying Brest last time out as they made it three league matches unbeaten (W1, D2).[/p]
[p]Having not drawn three consecutive top-flight games since November 2021, Les Dogues come into this on the back of a pair of Ligue 1 draws, as well as drawing the last two H2Hs 1-1. However, their home H2H record suggests that they might avoid a hat-trick of stalemates, having lost only one of the previous 12 such meetings (W9, D2).[/p]
[p]Lens were beaten 3-1 by Nice before the international hiatus and currently sit sixth, with Marseille and Rennes waiting to pounce should they slip up again. Having had plenty of time to stew over that defeat and prepare for this derby clash, they are in need of a fresh approach when facing clubs above them, as they’ve won just one league match this term against teams currently in the top five (D1, L7).[/p]
[p]The Blood and Gold are now unbeaten in four Ligue 1 away games (W3, D1) though and have only lost one of their last ten such encounters (W5, D4), so the short trip to Stade Pierre-Mauroy should not overly intimidate Franck Haise’s men. The Lens manager will nevertheless be keen to improve his record there, having never seen his side keep a clean sheet at the venue (W1, L2).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: All three of Benjamin André’s goals for Lille this season have come via his head, so Lens will be wary, particularly as one of those efforts was against them in October (1-1). Florian Sotoca’s last goal for Lens, meanwhile, was also a header and was his fourth successive goal between the 40th and 75th minutes.[/p]
[p]Hot streak: Lens’ last league defeat on a Friday was in December 2021 (W5, D2 since).[/p]