Lens vs. Strasbourg Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 16 February 2025 - bettingexpert

We’re in for an enthralling match on 16 February 2025 as Lens host Strasbourg at Stade Bollaert-Delelis, with kick-off set for 16:15. Both teams are neck-and-neck in the Ligue 1 standings, with Lens sitting in 7th place with 33 points, just ahead of 9th-placed Strasbourg who are on 30 points.

Referee Benoit Millot, known for his firmness, will be officiating. Lens come into this fixture as the bookmakers’ favourites, having shown decent form with 2 wins in their last 3 games. However, they’ve had their share of challenges lately, including the ongoing saga of Przemysław Frankowski’s potential transfer to Galatasaray, which has left the player mentally unprepared for matches.

Strasbourg are no pushovers either, having scored in 82% of their away matches this season. Still, they’ve been defensively leaky, conceding 1.5 goals on average. Their top scorer, Emanuel Emegha, will be key to their attack.

Given the recent form and stakes, a draw seems a fitting recommendation for this tightly contested match, with odds suggesting a balanced game.

Lens vs Strasbourg Prediction & Betting Tip

Our recommended betting tip for this match is a draw. Both teams are closely matched in their positions and recent performances, making a tie seem like a plausible outcome.

Lens vs Strasbourg Prediction
Betting tip	Odds
Draw	4.09

• Lens and Strasbourg are separated by only three points in the table, with both teams showcasing similar recent forms.
• Both teams have been involved in tight matches with low goal averages, further suggesting a balanced encounter.
• Lens have drawn with Strasbourg multiple times in their recent head-to-head matchups, indicating another close game could be on the cards.

Given these factors, betting on a draw for this match not only offers a good return but also aligns well with current form and statistics.

Lens vs Strasbourg Odds

With Lens positioned as the bookmakers’ favorite, let’s take a closer look at the odds for this clash:

Lens vs Strasbourg Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Lens	1.75
Draw	3.84
Strasbourg	4.37

Lens holds the upper hand according to the odds, but given their close proximity in the table and recent draws, Strasbourg certainly can’t be discounted. A bet on a draw at 3.84 offers a promising return for those eyeing an evenly contested match. Additionally, Strasbourg’s resilience this season, especially their away scoring rate, makes the game intriguing for bettors.

Lens Team Analysis

Lens Recent Performance

Lens find themselves in solid form, managing three wins in their last five outings in Ligue 1. Their recent performance showcases a defense that’s been relatively tight, securing two clean sheets in this span. This consistency has helped them maintain their 7th spot on the league table with 33 points. Lens have also shown prowess on the offensive front, averaging 1.20 goals per match in their last five encounters.

Home team	Away team	Result
Nice	Lens	2-0 (Loss)
Montpellier	Lens	0-2 (Win)
Lens	Angers	1-0 (Win)
Lens	Paris Saint-Germain	1-2 (Loss)
Le Havre	Lens	1-2 (Win)

Their ability to bounce back from setbacks has been noteworthy, and they’ll be looking to use their home advantage at Stade Bollaert-Delelis to push for another victory. Notably, despite key injuries, Lens remain resilient under Will Still’s strategic management.

With an upcoming match against Nantes, Lens will be keen to rack up points before facing tougher fixtures.

Lens Key Players

Lens will rely on the performances of key players such as M’Bala Nzola, who is their top scorer this season with 6 goals. His ability to convert chances will be critical, especially given Strasbourg’s tendency to concede late goals.
Coach Will Still’s expected lineup for Lens includes:

• Goalkeeper: Herve Koffi
• Defenders: Malang Sarr, Jonathan Gradit, Deiver Machado
• Midfielders: Florian Sotoca, Neil El Aynaoui, Andy Diouf, Adrien Thomasson, Anass Zaroury
• Attackers: M’Bala Nzola, Goduine Koyalipou

Florian Sotoca and Jonathan Gradit will be vital in bolstering Lens’ defensive solidity, while Adrien Thomasson will aim to control the midfield and supply crucial passes to the forwards. Expect intense individual battles, especially between Nzola and Strasbourg’s defenders.

Lens Suspensions & Injuries

Lens will have to cope without several players due to injuries and suspensions. Facundo Medina is suspended for one match due to accumulated yellow cards.

Player	Suspension	Expected return
Facundo Medina	Yellow/red card	1 match

Moreover, the injury list includes key individuals, potentially weakening their lineup:

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	Late February 2025
Denis Petric	Back injury	Late February 2025
Ruben Aguilar	Groin injury	Late February 2025
Mathew Ryan	Hip injury	Late February 2025

These absences could impact Lens’ depth and flexibility, especially in key defensive positions, making it vital for coach Will Still to optimize available resources. The absence of players like Medina and Ryan means others must step up against Strasbourg.

Lens Tactics and Formation

Lens Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 5-3-2
• Key Forward: M’Bala Nzola
• Midfield Trio: Neil El Aynaoui, Andy Diouf, Adrien Thomasson
• Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Excellent defensively, focusing on solid backlines and fast counter-attacks

Lens is expected to line up in a sturdy 5-3-2 formation, emphasizing defensive solidity to counter Strasbourg’s attacking threat. The absence of key defender Facundo Medina due to suspension challenges their backline, but Malang Sarr and Jonathan Gradit will have to step up.

M’Bala Nzola is crucial upfront, supported by a dynamic midfield trio of El Aynaoui, Diouf, and Thomasson, who will look to control the game’s tempo and launch swift counter-attacks.

Strasbourg Team Analysis

Strasbourg Recent Performance WLLWD

Strasbourg’s recent form has been somewhat inconsistent, with a pattern of a win followed by a dip in results. Over their last five matches, they’ve secured two wins, two losses, and a draw.

Home team	Away team	Result
Strasbourg	Montpellier	2-0 (Win)
Strasbourg	Angers	1-3 (Loss)
Rennes	Strasbourg	1-0 (Loss)
Strasbourg	Lille	2-1 (Win)
Marseille	Strasbourg	1-1 (Draw)

Strasbourg have scored an average of 1.2 goals in their last five games. However, they’ve only recorded one clean sheet during this span.

Despite the mixed results, their ability to score consistently, especially in away games, stands out. Their defense needs to tighten up, having conceded 1.5 goals on average in 21 matches this season.

Strasbourg Key Players

Strasbourg have standout players who could significantly impact the match against Lens.
Expected lineup for Strasbourg:

• Goalkeeper: Djordje Petrovic
• Defenders: Mamadou Sarr, Andrew Omobamidele, Abakar Sylla
• Midfielders: Valentín Barco, Habib Diarra, Andrey Santos, Diego Moreira
• Attackers: Sebastian Nanasi, Felix Lemarechal, Emanuel Emegha

Key Players:

• Emanuel Emegha: The team’s top scorer with 9 goals this season, Emegha will be a primary threat up top.
• Sebastian Nanasi: Positioned as the right attacking midfielder, Nanasi’s creativity and playmaking skills can unlock defenses.
• Djordje Petrovic: A reliable figure between the sticks, Petrovic’s performance could be pivotal in keeping Lens’ attackers at bay.

Key individual battles will likely involve Emegha against Lens’ defensive line and Nanasi trying to outsmart Lens’ midfield enforcers. Keeping these players in check will be critical to Lens’ success.

Strasbourg Suspensions & Injuries

Strasbourg will be dealing with a few important absences due to injuries and suspensions, potentially influencing their performance against Lens.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Moïse Sahi Dion	Achilles tendon injury	Late February 2025
Thomas Delaine	Knee injury	Late February 2025
Dilane Bakwa	Sprained knee injury	Late February 2025

Player	Suspension	Expected return
Ismaël Doukouré	Yellow cards	1 match left

The absence of Moïse Sahi Dion and Thomas Delaine might affect the squad’s depth and rotation, especially in crucial defensive and midfield areas.
Ismaël Doukouré’s suspension is particularly impactful, as he’s a key defensive figure, so his absence will necessitate significant adjustments at the back.
These injuries and suspensions will test Strasbourg’s squad depth against a challenging Lens side.

Strasbourg Tactics and Formation

Strasbourg’s Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: Expected to line up in a flexible 3-4-3 formation.
• Key Forward: Emanuel Emegha – Top scorer with 9 goals.
• Midfield Quartet: Valentin Barco, Habib Diarra, Andrey Santos, Diego Moreira.
• Defensive Trio: Mamadou Sarr, Andrew Omobamidele, Abakar Sylla.
• Defensive Strength: One clean sheet in the last five games.
• Notable Strategy: Strasbourg has shown a tendency to score in the dying minutes, especially between the 76th and 90th minutes.

Given that Strasbourg often concedes an average of 1.5 goals per match, their formation aims to strike a balance between a solid defence and a dynamic attack. They will look to leverage their attacking trio, such as Emegha, Nanasi, and Lemarechal, to challenge Lens’s defence. The suspension of Ismaël Doukouré requires significant adjustments at the back, possibly affecting their defensive solidity.

Lens vs Strasbourg Head-to-Head Statistics

Home	Away	Result
Strasbourg	Lens	2-2
Lens	Strasbourg	3-1
Strasbourg	Lens	0-1
Lens	Strasbourg	2-1
Strasbourg	Lens	2-2

In their last five encounters, Lens have had the upper hand with two wins, while the fixtures have also seen two draws and only one loss for Lens.
Strasbourg have found it challenging to secure wins against Lens, highlighting the latter’s strong performance over the recent seasons.

Odds accurate as of 14.02.2025 16:17, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.