Lens have made a strong start to the Ligue 1 season, and they will look to keep pace with the division’s elite when they face early pacesetters Marseille.
Match News and Current Form
Few expected Lens to be so close to the Ligue 1 summit at this stage of the campaign, but they enter the weekend just two points adrift having gone unbeaten in four matches (W3, D1) since losing to defending champions PSG. Another win here would see the Blood and Gold record their second-best points tally after nine matches in the last 50 years, and confidence ought to be high of achieving that considering that Pierre Sage’s side have won three successive home league games, most recently beating Paris FC 2-1 last week. Lens last won four Ligue 1 home matches in a row in December 2023, a streak that included a 1-0 win over Marseille!
Visitors Marseille moved into top spot for the first time this season by thrashing Le Havre 6-2 last weekend, with that result also stretching their winning league streak to five matches. It’s their best run since January 2023, but Roberto De Zerbi’s men still come into this fixture in downcast mood after squandering the lead in a 2-1 UEFA Champions League defeat to Sporting CP on Wednesday. That was a third defeat in five away games across all competitions this term for Marseille (W2), though each loss coming by a single-goal margin indicates they’re usually competitive on the road.
Head-to-Head History
Lens have won six of the last ten Ligue 1 H2Hs since returning to the top flight in 2020/21 (D1, L3), with Marseille only losing more to PSG in that time period.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Lens’ Ligue 1 games this term are producing an average of 11.75 corners, the second-highest figure in the division.
Lens have conceded a league-low two goals after half-time this season.
Marseille have attempted a joint-high 46 shots on target in the league this season.
Half of Marseille’s eight league games this season have featured a red card.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Lens’ Florian Thauvin scored twice in this fixture while representing former club Marseille, and could make an early impact here with three of his last four goals at club level acting as his side’s first on the day. Igor Paixão scored his fourth goal in as many outings against Sporting in midweek, while five of his last six strikes have been match openers.
This game might come too soon for Lens defender Deiver Machado, while Marseille look set to be without Amine Gouiri and Facundo Medina.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Marseille matches usually promise goals, so backing over 3.5 goals here could be smart in a contest that looks tough to call.
Author: Matt Jones