Lyon vs Lens prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2025-05-03 15:15.
[p]Lyon’s 2-1 defeat at relegation-threatened Saint-Étienne proved to be nothing more than a blip as they bounced back in style last weekend, beating Rennes 4-1 to move within a point of the top four pre-round and UEFA Champions League qualification. Paulo Fonseca’s men certainly aren’t alone in that quest as Nice and Strasbourg start this round level on 54 points and also ready to pounce, so there is still plenty to play for in the final three rounds.[/p]
[p]For Lyon to keep themselves firmly in contention, it’s hard to imagine that anything less than a win at home against Lens will do. Lens perhaps aren’t a great opponent then given Les Gones have failed to emerge victorious from the last three H2Hs (D1, L2), while last season’s corresponding 3-0 defeat is their joint-worst loss on their own patch in the French top flight this century![/p]
[p]Seven defeats from 11 games (W4) have killed Lens’ hopes of qualifying for Europe, with their latest loss a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of fellow mid-table outfit Auxerre. As the campaign nears an end, Will Still’s men may at least be motivated by the prospect of finishing strongly, not least to improve on the 45 points they’ve amassed after 31 games, which ranks as their lowest total since their top-flight return in 2020/21.[/p]
[p]The Blood and Gold will probably be pleased that they are playing away from the Stade Bollaert-Delelis this Sunday, as they’ve won more points on the road this season than at home. They possess Ligue 1’s third-best record on their travels this season behind Marseille and champions PSG, but with an indifferent away league record against sides starting the round above them in the table (W1, D2, L3), this game represents a tough test of their credentials.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: All-action midfielder Corentin Tolisso has been heavily involved across his last seven Lyon appearances (G3, A2, YC3, RC1). Wesley Saïd found the net for Lens against Lyon last season and off the bench in his team’s last away trip (against Brest), while four of his last five Ligue 1 goals arrived after half-time. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Only one of Lens’ last seven matches saw both teams score. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Alex Bowmer[/i][/p]