Lille Vs Lens Betting Tip: BTTS – 18 October 2020

High-flying Lens can test Lille defensive resolve

Jonathan Ikone / Lille ©imago images / PanoramiC 13.09.2020

France Lille Vs Lens France

Sunday 18th October 2020 – 20:00 kick-off
French Ligue 1
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Bet365
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 15th October 2020)

Preview: Old regional rivals meet for the first time in five years on Sunday, in the final match-up of the day in France, as teams in second and third, respectively, meet at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Will promoted Lens continue their thrilling start to the season or can Lille make their dominance in this fixture count?

French Ligue 1 Betting at Bet365

 

Lille Preview – Success dependent on another clean sheet?

As one of only two sides still to taste defeat in Ligue 1 in 2020-21, Lille will be determined to extend their unbeaten start against the season’s surprise package, RC Lens. Historically, and in particular more recently, it is a fixture they have largely dominated with seven wins in ten Ligue 1 meetings since their last such defeat. While they haven’t been beaten on their own patch since 2003 (W6 D2 thereafter).

Lille are chasing a sixth consecutive home win over Sunday’s opponents, however, the fact the last of those came more than five years ago means their head-to-head superiority probably counts for very little. What does work in their favour, though, is some excellent early form which has them second in the table – denied top spot on account of scoring fewer than leaders Rennes – after four wins and two draws.

The most recent came prior to the international break. A lacklustre Strasbourg were put to the sword on the road as Les Douges ran out convincing 3-0 winners (xG: STR 1.47 – 2.18 LIL) at Stade de la Meinau. A result which maintained their penchant for winning to nil: all four wins this term were to nil, meaning 15 of 19 Ligue 1 victories since the start of last season were achieved without conceding a goal.

 

Lille Win & Both To Score
10/3

Bet365

 

Lens Preview – Ligue 1’s surprise package not to be dismissed?

The 2019-20 Ligue 2 runners-up have taken most by surprise with their early season exploits in more exalted company. Since losing the opening fixture 2-1 away in Nice, who were incredibly fortunate to pick up three points (xG: NIC 0.14 – 2.86 LEN), coach Franck Haise has overseen four wins in five. Form which has seen them climb into third, above the likes of Marseille and PSG, and within a point of leaders Rennes.

Nobody could accuse them of having had it easy thus far, either. The likes of Bordeaux (2-1), St. Etienne (2-0) and PSG (1-0) are all Ligue 1 stalwarts but were ultimately no match for an enthusiastic Lens outfit that has scored in all six fixtures. However, the majority of their success up until now has come at home, with their only away win against a Lorient side who pipped them to the Ligue 1 title last term.

Sunday’s ‘Derby of the North’ promises to be another test therefore, not least because their record in this particular fixture is historically very poor having not won in ten Ligue 1 meetings (D3 L7). Yet there is clearly confidence flowing through this team, while in Ignatius Ganago they possess a forward in a rich vein of form after netting in four straight games prior to his early substitution last time out.

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Lille Vs Lens Betting Advice

The ‘Derby of the North’ promises to be an intriguing spectacle, as two confident, in-form rivals meet in the last of the weekend’s Ligue 1 action. Lens (W4 D1 L1) have exceeded expectations with their stellar early showing, going five games unbeaten since an undeserved defeat in Nice on the opening weekend. Lille (W4 D2), though, are unbeaten full stop this season, and have shipped a miserly two goals thus far.

 

Lille Vs Lens – Key Facts

  • All four of Lille‘s Ligue 1 victories this season were achieved without conceding a goal, winning to nil versus Metz, Nantes, Reims and Strasbourg.
  • Lens have scored in all six Ligue 1 fixtures since returning to the French top-flight, however did drop points in two of their three away fixtures (W1 D1 L1).
  • There hasn’t been an away victory in this fixture for Lens since 2003 (D2 L6 since). Lille meanwhile are seeking a seventh straight head-to-head home win.

 

Lens have been outstanding so far, and were unfortunate to drop points in two of their three away outings thus far. Whereas Lille have often looked laboured this season but, more often than not, found ways to win. The underlying numbers suggest Lille have also been rather fortunate to have conceded only twice. Meanwhile Lens, who have scored in all six matches, have averaged 2.0 xG across those half-dozen fixtures.

Best Betting Odds – Lille Vs Lens

Lille – 10/11 (Betway)
Draw – 13/5 (Betfair)
Lens – 10/3 (BetFred)