Lille vs. Lens Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips - bettingexpert
The highly anticipated “Derby du Nord” clash between Lille and Lens is set for 30 March 2025 at 18:45 at the Decathlon Arena-Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Lille sit 6th in Ligue 1 with 44 points and are the bookmakers’ favourites. Lens, 8th with 39 points, face a crucial task to climb up the standings.
Lille, despite some inconsistencies, have shown their prowess at home, scoring in all their matches this season. Lens have had a mixed bag in recent form but have won their last two outings. With key players missing for Lille, including Samuel Umtiti and Alexsandro Ribeiro, the match promises to be tight.
Referee Mathieu Vernice, known for his strict officiating, may influence the game’s flow. The weather forecast calls for light rain and cooler temperatures, adding another layer of challenge. Our prediction tips aim at a Lille victory, banking on their home strength and recent head-to-head superiority. Expect both teams to score given their offensive capabilities.
Lille vs Lens Prediction & Betting tip
Our recommended betting tip for this clash is a Lille victory. Considering Lille’s strong home form and their 100% home scoring rate, they seem well-placed to secure the win. Moreover, Lille’s recent head-to-head superiority over Lens, including a 2-0 win in the last encounter, lends further weight to this prediction.
| Lille vs Lens Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Lille to Win | 2.01 |
- Lille have scored in every home game this season, showcasing their attacking prowess at Decathlon Arena-Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
- Lens have struggled with consistency away from home, making a Lille win more likely.
- Lille’s home advantage and recent head-to-head success against Lens bolster this prediction. Referee Mathieu Vernice’s tendency to issue numerous yellow cards could impact game flow, but Lille’s demonstrated home strength remains a critical factor.
Lille vs Lens Odds
Lille are the bookmakers’ favourites going into this edition of the “Derby du Nord,” reflecting their strong home form and significant head-to-head advantage over Lens.
| Lille vs Lens Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Lille to Win | 2.01 |
| Draw | 3.43 |
| Lens to Win | 3.67 |
- Lille have been in solid form at home, contributing to their favourable odds.
- The historical difficulty Lens have faced at Lille is significant, with only one win in the last 21 years.
- Both teams will be eager to secure points, making for a potentially tight and thrilling contest.
Lille Team Analysis
Lille Recent Performance
Lille’s recent form has been quite mixed, as shown by their record of LDLWL in the last five matches. Despite some tough fixtures, Lille has managed to maintain their offensive consistency, scoring in all their home games this season.
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nantes | Lille | 2025-03-15 | Ligue 1 | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Lille | Borussia Dortmund | 2025-03-12 | Champions League | 1-2 (Loss) |
| Lille | Montpellier | 2025-03-08 | Ligue 1 | 1-0 (Win) |
| Borussia Dortmund | Lille | 2025-03-04 | Champions League | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Paris Saint-Germain | Lille | 2025-03-01 | Ligue 1 | 4-1 (Loss) |
Lille has only managed to keep one clean sheet in their last five games and has averaged 0.80 goals per game in this period. However, it’s worth noting they have faced strong opponents like Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund. Expect Lille to push hard for a win, strengthening their standing in Ligue 1.
Lille Key Players
Lille’s Jonathan David is undoubtedly the standout player this season, netting 14 goals, making him a vital presence in the attacking lineup. The Canadian striker will be looking to add to his tally against Lens, supported by key midfielders like André Gomes and Benjamin André.
Expected lineup for Lille:
- Goalkeeper: Lucas Chevalier
- Defenders: Thomas Meunier, Aissa Mandi, Bafodé Diakité, Gabriel Gudmundsson
- Midfielders: André Gomes, Benjamin André, Hákon Arnar Haraldsson, Osame Sahraoui, Mitchel Bakker
- Forward: Jonathan David
Individual battles to watch include Jonathan David against Lens’ central defenders and André Gomes’ playmaking abilities potentially unlocking Lens’ disciplined midfield.
Lille Suspensions & Injuries
Lille are facing a challenging situation with both suspensions and injuries affecting their squad, potentially impacting their performance against Lens.
Suspensions
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Alexsandro Ribeiro | Yellow cards | 1 match |
Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Samuel Umtiti | Knee injury | Mid April 2025 |
| Tiago Santos | Cruciate ligament injury | Out for season |
| Edon Zhegrova | Muscle injury | Early April 2025 |
| Ethan Mbappe | Illness | About 1-2 weeks |
With Alexsandro Ribeiro suspended and key players like Samuel Umtiti and Tiago Santos sidelined due to severe injuries, Lille will need to dig deep into their squad depth. These absences could disrupt their defensive solidity, putting additional pressure on the remaining players to step up.
Lille Tactics and Formation
Lille Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Jonathan David
- Midfield Duo: Andre Gomes and Benjamin Andre
- Defensive Strategy: One clean sheet in the last five games.
- Notable Strategy: Offensive plays through the wings and high pressure early in the game.
Head coach Bruno Génésio prefers a 4-2-3-1 formation, which allows for balanced play and effective use of wide areas. This setup will likely feature Jonathan David as the central striker, supported by Hákon Arnar Haraldsson and Osame Sahraoui on the wings. Andre Gomes and Benjamin Andre will anchor the midfield, offering defensive stability.
The defensive line will be without Alexsandro Ribeiro due to suspension, but veterans like Aïssa Mandi and Bafodé Diakité are expected to hold the fort. The team’s approach is characterized by quick transitions and aggressive pressing, especially in the early stages of the game. This tactical setup aims to exploit Lens’ vulnerabilities and capitalize on Lille’s attacking prowess, particularly at home.
Lens Team Analysis
Lens Recent Performance
Lens have had a rollercoaster ride in their last five matches, showcasing a mix of resilience and inconsistency. Here’s a breakdown of their recent performances:
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lens | Rennes | 2025-03-15 | Ligue 1 | 1-0 (Win) |
| Marseille | Lens | 2025-03-08 | Ligue 1 | 0-1 (Win) |
| Lens | Le Havre | 2025-03-01 | Ligue 1 | 3-4 (Loss) |
| Nantes | Lens | 2025-02-23 | Ligue 1 | 3-1 (Loss) |
| Lens | Strasbourg | 2025-02-16 | Ligue 1 | 0-2 (Loss) |
Lens have managed to win their last two league games, both with clean sheets, which shows their defensive potential. However, prior to these victories, they suffered three consecutive losses, indicating challenges in maintaining consistency.
Average Goals Scored (Last 5 Games): 1.20
Clean Sheets (Last 5 Games): 2
Momentum seems to be on their side recently, but they will need to maintain their defensive solidity while boosting their offensive output to challenge Lille.
Lens Key Players
Expected lineup for Lens:
- Goalkeeper: Mathew Ryan
- Defenders: Jonathan Gradit, Juma Bah, Facundo Medina
- Midfielders: Ruben Aguilar, Nampalys Mendy, Neil El Aynaoui, Deiver Machado
- Attackers: Florian Sotoca, Jeremy Agbonifo, Wesley Saïd
Lens will heavily rely on their top scorer, M’Bala Nzola, who has netted six goals this season. He will be a key figure, especially against Lille’s solid defense.
Mathew Ryan needs to maintain his top form to keep Lille’s Jonathan David at bay. Their defense, led by Jonathan Gradit, will be critical.
Crucial midfield battles could involve Nampalys Mendy challenging André Gomes, aiming to disrupt Lille’s tempo. Ruben Aguilar’s crosses might also be pivotal in penetrating Lille’s backline.
Lens Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Martin Satriano | Cruciate ligament injury | Early June 2025 |
| Rémy Labeau Lascary | Cruciate ligament injury | Out for season |
| Jhoanner Chávez | Ankle injury | Mid April 2025 |
| Denis Petric | Back injury | Early April 2025 |
Lens are currently dealing with several significant injuries that could affect their performance. Key players like Martin Satriano and Rémy Labeau Lascary are out for extended periods, which presents a challenge for Coach Will Still.
In particular, the absence of attacking options like Satriano could limit Lens’ firepower up front, putting added pressure on their existing forwards to deliver.
The back injury to Denis Petric further destabilizes their defensive setup, necessitating solid performances from the squad to cover these gaps effectively.
Lens Tactics and Formation
Lens Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 3-4-3
- Key Forwards: Jeremy Agbonifo and Wesley Saïd
- Midfield Duo: Nampalys Mendy and Neil El Aynaoui
- Defensive Formation: Three at the back with Jonathan Gradit, Juma Bah, and Facundo Medina
- Notable Strategy: Emphasis on wing play and quick transitions, looking to exploit spaces on the flanks.
Coach Will Still prefers a flexible 3-4-3 setup, which allows Lens to adapt both offensively and defensively.
The midfield pairing of Mendy and El Aynaoui is crucial for ball distribution and controlling the tempo.
The wing-backs Ruben Aguilar and Deiver Machado provide width and help in both attacking and defensive duties.
Lens will look to their forwards, particularly Agbonifo and Saïd, to break through Lille’s defense and create scoring opportunities.
Lille vs Lens Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lens | Lille | 2024-10-26 | Ligue 1 | 0-2 (Loss) |
| Lille | Lens | 2024-03-29 | Ligue 1 | 2-1 (Win) |
| Lens | Lille | 2023-10-08 | Ligue 1 | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Lens | Lille | 2023-03-04 | Ligue 1 | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Lille | Lens | 2022-10-09 | Ligue 1 | 1-0 (Win) |
Lille has had the upper hand in recent matchups against Lens, winning three out of the last five encounters. Lens managed to secure two draws but has struggled to win against Lille in the same period. This head-to-head form could give Lille a psychological edge heading into the match at Decathlon Arena-Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Both teams are looking to enhance their standings, but Lille seems to have had better fortune in previous ties.
Odds accurate as of 28.03.2025 18:46, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
