Lens vs. Reims Prediction, Match Preview, and Betting Tips, 11 April 2025 - bettingexpert
As Ligue 1 moves into its 29th round, Lens is set to host Reims at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on 11 April 2025, with kick-off at 19:45. Lens currently sits in 9th position with 42 points, aiming to inch closer to the European spots. In contrast, Reims is struggling in 16th place with just 26 points, desperately hoping to avoid relegation.
Lens has demonstrated solid home form, emerging as favourites with bookmaker odds of 1.60. They’ve kept three clean sheets in their last five games and aim to capitalize on Reims’ poor away record. Coach Will Still will look to his top scorer M’Bala Nzola and their strong defensive unit led by Mathew Ryan.
Reims, coached by Samba Diawara, face an uphill battle. Injuries and suspensions weaken their defence, with key players like Keito Nakamura expected to step up. They’ve yet to secure an away win since November of last year, highlighting their vulnerability on the road.
Given Lens’ favourable form and historical success against Reims, the match tip here is for Lens to take an early lead and win the first half. Expect a tight contest, with Lens looking to keep a clean sheet and make a strong push for international spots.
Lens vs Reims Prediction & Betting tip
Based on current form and historical records, we recommend betting on Lens to win the first half. Lens has been dominant at home and currently holds better form compared to Reims.
| Lens vs Reims Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Lens to win 1st half | 1.60 |
- Lens has a strong home performance, supported by their recent clean sheets.
- Reims struggle on the road, with numerous defensive injuries impacting their form.
- Historically, Lens has performed better against Reims, particularly in home fixtures.
Given these factors, betting on Lens to take an early lead is a logical choice.
Lens vs Reims Odds
When it comes to placing your bets, the odds clearly favour Lens to clinch a victory at home.
| Lens vs Reims Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Lens | 1.60 |
| Draw | 3.94 |
| Reims | 5.45 |
Lens are the bookmakers’ favourites with odds of 1.60 due to their strong home performance and recent form.
Reims, on the other hand, are seen as the underdogs with odds of 5.45, likely due to their struggles away from home and defensive injuries.
For those considering a draw, the odds stand at 3.94, indicating it’s a less probable outcome.
Lens Team Analysis
Lens Recent Performance
- Recent Form: Lens has displayed fairly strong form in their last five matches, registering three wins and two losses.
- Recent Performances:
- Lens vs Saint-Etienne: 1 – 0 (Win) | 2025-04-06 | Ligue 1
- Lille vs Lens: 1 – 0 (Loss) | 2025-03-30 | Ligue 1
- Lens vs Rennes: 1 – 0 (Win) | 2025-03-15 | Ligue 1
- Marseille vs Lens: 0 – 1 (Win) | 2025-03-08 | Ligue 1
- Lens vs Le Havre: 3 – 4 (Loss) | 2025-03-01 | Ligue 1
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| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lens | Saint-Etienne | 2025-04-06 | Ligue 1 | 1-0 (Win) |
| Lille | Lens | 2025-03-30 | Ligue 1 | 1-0 (Loss) |
| 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) |
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Lens has managed to keep three clean sheets in their last five games, making their defense a notably robust aspect of their play. They have also averaged 1.20 goals scored per match in this period. With a respectable defensive record and a steady goal-scoring pattern, Lens looks poised to continue their solid performance as they aim for a European competition spot.
Lens Key Players
Lens’s performance this season has been bolstered by several key players who will once again be pivotal against Reims. One player to watch is M’Bala Nzola, Lens’s top scorer with 6 goals. His knack for finding the back of the net will be crucial, especially given Reims’ shaky defensive record.
Another standout is Malang Sarr, who has been a rock in defense, contributing to Lens’s three clean sheets in their last five games. Sarr’s matchup against Reims’s strikers, particularly Keito Nakamura, will be a key battle.
Florian Sotoca and Wesley Saïd add creativity and firepower upfront, expected to exploit Reims’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Expected lineup for Lens:
- Goalkeeper: Mathew Ryan
- Defenders: Juma Bah, Malang Sarr, Facundo Medina
- Midfielders: Ruben Aguilar, Andy Diouf, Nampalys Mendy, Deiver Machado
- Attacking Midfielders: Florian Sotoca, Adrien Thomasson
- Forward: Wesley Saïd
Lens Suspensions & Injuries
Lens are dealing with several injuries and a key suspension that could impact their performance against Reims.
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 | Mid April 2025 |
| Jonathan Gradit | Head injury | A few weeks |
| Jeremy Agbonifo | Illness | About 1-2 weeks |
Suspensions:
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Neil El Aynaoui | Yellow cards | 1 match remaining |
With Neil El Aynaoui suspended, Lens will miss his presence in midfield. Injuries to key players like Martin Satriano and Rémy Labeau Lascary could stretch the squad depth, but returnees like Denis Petric and Jhoanner Chávez will provide some much-needed reinforcement soon.
Lens Tactics and Formation
Lens Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 3-4-2-1
- Key Forward: Wesley Saïd
- Midfield Setup: Right midfielder – Ruben Aguilar, Right central midfielder – Andy Diouf, Left central midfielder – Nampalys Mendy, Left midfielder – Deiver Machado
- Defensive Setup: Right center back – Juma Bah, Central back – Malang Sarr, Left center back – Facundo Medina
Lens will likely stick to their favored 3-4-2-1 setup, which has brought them success in several key matches this season.
Their strategy revolves around a solid defensive core that allows only an average of 1.1 goals per game.
The midfield is dynamic, with players like Ruben Aguilar and Andy Diouf providing both defensive cover and an attacking threat.
Expect them to press high up the pitch and make use of quick transitions to catch Reims on the break.
Reims Team Analysis
Recent Performance:
Reims have experienced a mixed bag of results recently, showing some promise but also struggling with consistency. They have secured two wins, one draw, and two losses in their last five encounters, demonstrating a solid attacking effort but also room for defensive improvement. The team has managed to score an average of 1.00 goals per game in their last five outings, while keeping only one clean sheet.
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reims | Strasbourg | 2025-04-06 | Ligue 1 | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Cannes | Reims | 2025-04-02 | Coupe de France | 1-2 (Win) |
| Reims | Marseille | 2025-03-29 | Ligue 1 | 3-1 (Win) |
| Brest | Reims | 2025-03-16 | Ligue 1 | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Reims | Auxerre | 2025-03-09 | Ligue 1 | 0-2 (Loss) |
Team Analysis
Despite their lower position in the standings, Reims have shown the potential to cause upsets against bigger teams. However, they’ll need to tighten up defensively, as they have been conceding an average of 1.5 goals per match this season.
With key absences like Cédric Kipré due to suspension and Joseph Okumu sidelined with a shoulder injury, their backline will be under pressure. Head coach Samba Diawara will be looking for a well-rounded team performance to navigate these challenges successfully.
Reims Key Players
Reims will be relying heavily on their top scorer, Keito Nakamura, who has netted 9 goals this season. His attacking prowess will be key to unlocking Lens’ sturdy defense, which has kept three clean sheets in their last five matches.
The midfield engine, Amadou Koné, along with Valentin Atangana Edoa, will need to dominate the center of the park to keep Reims in the game. Additionally, the pace and creativity of Junya Ito on the right wing can pose significant threats to Lens’ defensive line.
Expected lineup for Reims:
- Goalkeeper: Yehvann Diouf
- Defenders: Hiroki Sekine, Mory Gbane, Malcolm Jeng, Sergio Akieme
- Midfielders: Valentin Atangana Edoa, Amadou Koné, Teddy Teuma
- Attackers: Junya Ito, Mamadou Diakhon, Keito Nakamura
The key battle to watch will be between Nakamura and Lens’ central defenders, Malang Sarr and Facundo Medina.
Reims Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Reda Khadra | Cruciate ligament injury | Late May 2025 |
| Mohammed Daramy | Knee injury | Mid April 2025 |
| Yaya Fofana | Ankle injury | Late April 2025 |
| Gabriel Moscardo | Muscle injury | Doubtful |
| Joseph Okumu | Shoulder injury | Mid May 2025 |
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
| —————- | ———— | —————– |
| Cédric Kipré | Red card | 1 match |
Reims are facing significant challenges heading into the match against Lens due to these suspensions and injuries. Key defensive player Cédric Kipré is serving a suspension after receiving a red card, weakening their backline. Injuries to crucial players like Okumu and Khadra further exacerbate their defensive issues, while attackers like Daramy are also in the recovery phase. This could make it difficult for Reims to field their strongest XI and may impact their overall performance against a stronger Lens side.
Reims Tactics and Formation
Reims’ Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Key Forward: Keito Nakamura
- Top scorer with 9 goals this season.
- Midfield Trio:
- Valentin Atangana Edoa
- Amadou Koné
- Teddy Teuma
- Defensive Strength:
- One clean sheet in the last five games.
- Notable Strategy:
- Utilizing Nakamura’s speed and Junya Ito’s dribbling on the wings to stretch the opposition’s defense.
Given the current suspensions and injuries, the team is likely to implement a compact midfield to protect a weakened backline. The focus will be on counter-attacks and maintaining a disciplined shape to mitigate Lens’ home advantage.
Lens vs Reims Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reims | Lens | 2024-11-29 | Ligue 1 | 0-2 (Loss) |
| Reims | Lens | 2024-02-18 | Ligue 1 | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Lens | Reims | 2023-12-16 | Ligue 1 | 2-0 (Win) |
| Lens | Reims | 2023-05-12 | Ligue 1 | 2-1 (Win) |
| Reims | Lens | 2022-12-21 | Friendly | 1-2 (Loss) |
Over the last five encounters, Lens has proven dominant against Reims, securing three wins and a draw.
With their most recent meeting ending in a 2-0 victory for Lens, the home team will be looking to continue this trend at Stade Bollaert-Delelis. This historical edge adds an extra layer of confidence for Lens fans as they eye crucial points for a possible European competition spot.
Odds accurate as of 09.04.2025 19:46, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
