Reims vs Lens prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2022-09-03 13:00.
Deadline day saw Reims lose key central defender Wout Faes to Leicester City, something that’s not ideal for a side who come into this round of Ligue 1 action having already conceded 12 league goals – only two sides have conceded more. They did at least pick up their first win of the campaign midweek away to Angers (2-4) – despite suffering another red card – and will now hope to build on that by securing just their third home league win of 2022 (D4, L6).
What adds to that home frustration for the hosts is that they have actually opened the scoring before the 30th minute in each of their last four league encounters at Stade Auguste Delaune (D1, L3). Continuing this negative trend could lead to Reims suffering a third straight top-flight defeat to Lens for the very first time in their history.
It’s been a much different start to the campaign for Lens who are one of just four Ligue 1 sides coming into the round undefeated so far (W4, D1). Their 5-2 win at home to Lorient last week actually extended their unbeaten top-flight run to 13 matches (W9, D4), and they’re now bidding to go 14 Ligue 1 games undefeated for only the second time in their history.
Lens’ attack has been one of the key factors behind their early season success so far and they’ve netted 14 league goals already. Only seven teams in the 21st century have managed to do that, with four of the previous six going on to lift the league title! Lens’ one and only league success came 25 years ago, and securing a second this season looks unlikely due to PSG’s dominance, although improving on last season’s top seven finish is looking very much achievable.
Players to watch: Reims’ Arbër Zeneli boasts two first-half goals in his only two appearances against Lens, while Florian Sotoca has started the season like a house on fire, with five league goals in five appearances!
Hot stat: At the conclusion of round five, Ligue 1 had seen 24 red cards – the highest in Europe’s top-five leagues – with Reims themselves seeing three over their last four games, plus an additional red for the coach last match!