Nantes vs Lens prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2025-12-05 16:00.
[p]Two sides fighting at opposite ends of the table meet on matchday 15 in Ligue 1 as relegation battlers Nantes host title-chasing Lens.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Nantes were beaten 3-0 by Lyon last weekend, with more pressure duly heaped on manager LuĂs Castro, who appears to be fighting a losing battle in trying to keep his job despite only having been appointed in the summer. The Canaries are now winless in five games (D2, L3), and currently find themselves three points from safety in the relegation play-off place. Seemingly in real danger of their 13-season top-flight stay coming to an end, Nantes’ woeful form at the Stade de la Beaujoire has been a big part of their malaise, with their tally of five points earned on home soil the lowest in the division this term (W1, D2, L4). [/p]
[p]Lens took advantage of a slip-up from Paris Saint-Germain last weekend to move top of the table. There is a long way to go, but Pierre Sage’s side are now in the driving seat ahead of this weekend after winning four games on the spin, and another victory here would see them reach 34 points – which would be their second-highest tally ever after 15 matches of a Ligue 1 campaign. The Blood and Gold could also record a tenth away win in the top flight in a calendar year for the first time ever, and will be confident of doing so having conceded the fewest goals of any ever-present Ligue 1 club on the road to date in 2025 (18).[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]This will be the pair’s 100th meeting in all competitions, and Lens had been unbeaten in six league H2Hs (W4, D2) prior to February’s 3-1 defeat at the Stade de la Beaujoire.[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Nantes are yet to win a game this season after conceding first (D2, L7).[/p]
[p]Three of Nantes’ four home defeats this term have been by exactly a two-goal margin.[/p]
[p]Lens have won all eight of their matches in 2025/26 after scoring first.[/p]
[p]There have been four red cards in Lens’ last five games.[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Three of 17-year-old defender Tylel Tati’s four bookings for Nantes this season have arrived on or before the 22nd minute. Relishing the prospect of facing him will be Florian Thauvin, who got a brace for Lens last Sunday and has registered eight goal involvements in 11 top-flight career meetings with Nantes (G6, A2).[/p]
[p]Nantes will be without Junior Mwanga after his sending-off last weekend, while Lens’ Morgan Guilavogui remains suspended following a red card of his own last month.[/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]The visitors will be expected to get the job done comfortably, so we recommend backing Lens in the -1 handicap market.[/p]
[p][i]Author: Ben Olawumi[/i][/p]