Lens welcome Angers to the Stade Bollaert-Delelis for Friday’s encounter in a bid to bounce back from a humiliating defeat from Brest.
Franck Haise’s side went down 4-0 to Les Pirates last time out, while Angers picked a 1-0 victory over Lorient.
Having defeated Troyes 4-0 before the international break, Lens travelled to Brest with an aim of establishing their dominance once more, but they ended up on the wrong side of a four-goal thrashing at the Stade Francis Le-Ble.
Lens have had an habit of winning one then losing one in the top flight, which is a good luck for them heading to Friday’s match, and they have now dropped to fourth position in the table due to their inconsistent streak.
Franck Haise’s side would temporarily skip back to the second position with all the three points. Lens welcome Angers to the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on a three-game winning streak at home.
They have also conceded only two goals in thier last five at home and have certainly proved that last season’ memorable top-half finish was no fluke, but Angers have been something of a surprise package this term.
While Lens were being put in a football academy by Brest, Angers were seeking to grab a four-game winless streak during their visit to Lorient, but Paul Nardi proofed good in the goal.
Angers had hastly risen into contention for a European place before their winless run through to the international break, but three points against Lorient means they are still strong in the mix as they sit sixth in the table, with a three-point difference to Lens.
However, Angers did not lose their scoring touch through their winless streak, scoring in 13 of their 14 Ligue 1 games this season, including every away match. Although, they have failed to win any of their last six away fixtures, drawing in five.
Lens vs Angers head to head
Lens have met Angers in 11 encounters, five matches at home and six away. The pair are level in strength as per their points head to haed. Both have won three time and drawn five times, having scored 16 goals each and collected 14 points each in all competitions.
Angers 1-2 Lens 07/08/13
Angers 1-2 Lens 14/12/13
Lens 0-0 Angers 03/05/14
Lens 1-3 Angers 29/11/20
Angers 2-2 Lens 28/02/21
Lens latest home form
Lens are on a run of good form at home. In their last five matches at home, they have four and lost one – a 1-0 defeat to Strasbourg in September. They have scored 11 goals and conceded two collecting 12 points in the process, all matches in the Ligue1.
Lens 1-0 Lille 18/09/21
Lens 0-1 Strasbourg 22/09/21
Lens 2-0 Reims 01/10/21
Lens 4-1 Metz 24/10/21
Lens 4-0 Troyes 05/11/21
Lens latest away form
We can say that Lens are on a downward graph in their away form. They have lost their three last matches conceding more goals match after the other. Out of their last five, they only managed to win two after which they have gone winless, scoring 7 and conceding 11.
Bordeaux 2-3 Lens 12/09/21
Marseille 2-3 Lens 26/09/21
Montpellier 1-0 Lens 17/10/21
Lyon 2-1 Lens 30/10/21
Brest 4-0 Lens 21/11/21
Angers latest home form
Angers have lost two out of their last five matches at home, drawn one and won two all in the Ligue 1, which is rather not so bad a form, considering that they won their last home match – a 1-0 victory over Lorient. They scored 6 and conceded 8 in the process.
Angers 1-4 Nantes 19/09/21
Angers 0-0 Marseille 22/09/21
Angers 3-2 Metz 03/10/21
Angers 1-2 Nice 31/10/21
Angers 1-0 Lorient 21/11/21
Angers latest away form
Although they have not won in any of their last five away matches, Angers have lost only one and drawn four, the only loss being to the league leaders PSG in Otober. However, they scored in all the five matches, scoring 6 and conceding 7 all in the Ligue 1.
Brest 1-1 Angers 12/09/21
Troyes 1-1 Angers 26/09/21
PSG 2-1 Angers 15/10/21
Saint-Etienne 2-2 Angers 22/10/21
Lille 1-1 Angers 06/11/21
Lens news
There may be just a few changes in Haise’s squad. Forward Kalimuendo will be out through suspension as Florian Sotoca will be back from his ban, which may lead to Corentin Jean to be benched. Wesley Said will be out(muscle) alongside Deiver Machado(knee).
Angers news
First-choice goalkeeper Paul Bernardni will be missing out alongside Bilal Brahimi who picked a thigh issue last week. Angelo Fulgini is back from suspension and should resume his position, with Azzedine Ounahi potentially dropping out. Sofiane Boufal is also a doubt in this match.
Prediction and Odds
Angers are good at scoring in away matches and would likely find their way to the net in this game, but their winless streak in away matches is alarming.
Lens seem to have more energy playing at home and will be desperate to proof a point in front of their own fans, especially after the humbling at Brest. We can say the hosts have a better chance to win.
Odds: 1 1.88 X 2.87 2 3.01
Probable outcomes
Lens 1-0 Angers
Lens 2-0 Angers
Lens 2-1 Angers
Lens 2-2 Angers
Lens 1-2 Angers
