Marseille Vs Lens
Marseille Vs Lens Friday 30th October 2020 – 20:00 Kick-Off
French Ligue 1
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 21/20
Bookmaker: Boylesports
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 28th October 2020)
Preview: In the early fixture in France’s Ligue 1, Marseille have the chance to move level on points with leaders Lille and PSG with victory at their Stade Velodrome. Seeking to spoil the party are Lens, whom have already claimed the scalp of last season’s title winners.
French Ligue 1 Betting at Bet365
Table of Contents
Marseille Preview – Punishing schedule to take its toll?
Last week it was Rennes who were expected to play Champions League football on the Tuesday followed by a return to Ligue 1 action 72 hours later, leaving little time for recuperation or preparation. The Bretons subsequently produced a lacklustre performance in the latter, held on the road by rock-bottom Dijon, and so the warning signs are clear for all to see as Marseille embark on the same short turnaround.
L’OM certainly didn’t earn themselves any admirers for their cautious display in midweek, attempting only two shots in a 3-0 loss to Man City here at the Stade Velodrome. During his post-match assessment, head coach Andre Villas-Boas quipped: “If Marseille had money you would have Guardiola and his possession game, but sadly for you it’s Andre Villas-Boas and his tactical decisions.”
The Portuguese’s comments, while tinged with truth, won’t have gone down well among the club and its ardent supporters. A second-place finish last term means his stock remains high. However results have been patchy so far this season, sitting fourth in the Ligue 1 table after four wins in eight (W4 D3 L1). Meanwhile, at home their record reads W1 D2 L1 after finally breaking their duck last time out here versus Bordeaux (3-1).
Lens Preview – Keen to put nightmare Derby du Nord behind them?
Last season’s Ligue 2 runners-up had initially acclimatised to life back in France’s top tier seamlessly, registering four wins through their first six league games, with Bordeaux, Lorient, St Etienne and even PSG among their victims. Unfortunately, though, last week’s Derby du Nord went about as bad as could be expected, not only losing the contest itself in such a comprehensive manner but also key players.
Defenders Jonathan Gradit and Clement Michelin both saw red away to Lille last time out, marking only their second defeat since returning to Ligue 1 in emphatic style as they fell to a 4-0 scoreline at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. In isolation it was clearly a very poor result and performance (xG: LIL 2.32 – 0.34 LEN), however, over the course of the season Lens have put together some remarkably strong underlying numbers.
Eight matches in to this season’s league campaign in France and only two sides – Lyon and PSG – are posting superior xG figures than Franck Haise’s side, who are averaging 1.8xG and 0.7xGC. For comparison, Marseille are averaging 1.1xG and 1.6xGC. This has so far translated into 13 points from a possible 21, though it should be noted that only 31% of their tally has come in away fixtures (W1 D2 L1).
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Marseille Vs Lens Betting Advice
Three days after Man City gave them the runaround in the Champions League and Marseille are straight back into competitive action, this time hosting Ligue 1 surprise package Lens. Andre Villas-Boas saw his side spend near enough the entirety of their midweek encounter in the defensive third, essentially chasing shadows at times, and this could negatively impact their energy levels ahead of Friday’s clash.
Marseille Vs Lens – Key Facts
- Andre Villas-Boas’ Marseille were beaten 3-0 at home by Man City on Tuesday, meaning they have failed to score more than one goal in eight of their ten competitive fixtures in 2020-21.
- By losing 4-0 away to Lille in their latest Ligue 1 encounter, Lens failed to score in a top-flight fixture for the first time this season, netting in their three prior away outings.
- Marseille are bidding for a fifth successive victory over Lens in all competition, with the latter’s most recent success as the away side a 1-0 win in March 2007 (D1 L3 since).
Villas-Boas can call upon Payet, Sanson and Benedetto, all of whom were second-half substitutes on Tuesday. Lens, who have accrued as many Ligue 1 wins (4) as their opponents, are also missing players but should be the fresher of the sides overall. Moreover, the latter’s attacking process remains strong, netting in three of four away outings, while both teams have scored in each of Marseille’s last three league games at home.
Best Betting Odds – Marseille Vs Lens
Marseille – 3/5 (Bet365)
Draw – 16/5 (Betfair)
Lens – 5/1 (BetFred)
