Lille vs Lens Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 French Ligue 1
THE FACTS
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
When is Lille vs Lens on and what time does it start? Lille vs Lens will take place on Friday 29th March, 2024 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Lille vs Lens? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Lille vs Lens on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Ligue 1 matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Lille vs Lens
Where can I stream Lille vs Lens in the UK? If Lille vs Lens is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
LILLE
Coached by former Roma and Shakhtar Donetsk boss Paulo Fonseca, Lille have enjoyed an extremely impressive campaign with, despite their easy on the eye and attacking style of football, a very strong defensive record with over 20 clean sheets across all competitions. They are still challenging for a top three finish and UEFA Champions League qualification as we head into the Ligue 1 ‘run-in’.
The northerners come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw with fellow high-flyers Stade Brest in their most recent outing, a couple of weeks ago, before the March international break. Jonathan David scored an 87th minute equalising goal in the game and they have suffered just one loss in their last seven matches across all competitions.
LENS
It was a really underwhelming campaign for Lens but ever since the end of September, Lens have returned to being one of the best sides in France’s top-flight after finishing as runners’ up last season. The northern club, coached by Franck Haise, have moved back into contention for a top three finish and UEFA Champions League qualification contention.
They did, though, head into the March international break on the back of a poor 3-1 loss at home to Nice at Stade Bollaert-Delelis with Terem Moffi notching a brace and then Khephren Thuram notching, too, before Elye Wahi scored late on. They have been very inconsistent of late with just two victories in their last seven matches across all competitions.
THE TEAM NEWS
LILLE
Lille have a few injury concerns for this weekend’s visit of Lens as former Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti is among those that are unavailable.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Chevalier; Santos, Diakite, Yoro, Ismaily; Bentaleb, Andre, Gomes; Zhegrova, David, Haraldsson
UNAVAILABLE: Morais (Injured), Fernandes (Injured), Ilic (Injured), Umtiti (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
LENS
Lens have a few availability concerns as both Deiver Machado and Jimmy Cabot are out injured, whilst Abdukodir Khusanov is missing through suspension.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-1-2): Samba; Gradit, Danso, Medina; Aguilar, Mendy, El Aynaoui, Frankowski; Costa; Sotoca, Wahi
UNAVAILABLE: Khusanov (Suspended), Machado (Injured), Cabot (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Known as Derby du Nord, this one is actually a fiercely contested rivalry in European football and both sides have similar goals as we head into the ‘run-in’. Lille are a point above Lens in the table as they both hunt down top three spots. Lille’s aforementioned defensive record makes this game likely to be a little more reactive than would perhaps be ideal for the neutral, whilst Lens also have a very solid defensive record, even despite starting the season so slowly. They have combined for just 72 goals between them so, despite being two strong and in-form sides, this is likely to be a low-scoring contest on Friday evening.
TIP: UNDER 3.5 GOALS
