Lens vs Clermont Match Analysis and Prediction

5 years ago 705

Lens will host Clermont of Saturday in Ligue 1 action as bot teams face their latest chhallenge in their bids to secure a Conference League Qualifiers spot for next season.

The hosts sit ninth in the table on 41 points, having scored 42 goals and conceded 38 with 10 matches left.

They picked up a point in their last Ligue 1 match, drawing 0-0 at Stade Saint-Symphorien against Metz, and they now trail fifth-placed Strasbourg by six points for a spot in the Conference League Qualifiers.

On home soil this season, Lens have recorded six wins, five draws and three losses in 14 Ligue 1 matches. In their last six league matches, they have won two, drawn two and lost two.

Lens have got better of Clermont recently, unbeaten in their last five league matches, and the trio of Fofana, Arnauf Kalimuendo-Muinga and Wesley Said have been their laeding playeys this season.

When the two teams last met in Ligue 1 action, they played out a 2-2 draw at Stade Gabriel Montpied in December. Yohann Magnin and Mohamed Bayo got on the scoresheet for Clermont, while Seko Fofana scored in the 47th minuted for Lens as they also benefited from an own goal by Clermont’s Johan Gastien.

Clermont suffered a 2-0 defeat against Lorient at Stade Gabriel Montpied in their last league match, extending their winless run to three, leaving them in 16th place on 28 points, sitting just two points outside of the relegation zone with 10 matches to play.

The visitors will be looking for their first league win in fixtures between the two teams since February 2018, and they have played 14 matches on the road this season, picking up 14 points from the 42 available, with Bayo being their leading player, having scored on 10 occasions.

Lens vs Clermont head to head

The two teams have previously met on 22 occasions across all competitions, where Lens have taken eight victories while Clermont have won four, and they have drawn in 10. Clermont have scored 23 goals and conceded 30. In their last five meetings, Lens have won two and they have drawn in three.

Lens 1-0 Clermont 04/05/19

Clermont 1-1 Lens 10/08/19

Lens (P)2-2 Clermont 27/08/19

Lens 1-1 Clermont 25/01/20

Clermont 2-2 Lens 01/12/21

Lens latest home form

Lens have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, as they have lost in three of their five most recent macthes. They recently lost 4-2 to Monaco in the Coupe de France. In their last five matches, they have won one, drawn one and lost three.

Lens 0-2 Marseille 22/01/22

Lens 2-4 Monaco 30/01/22

Lens 3-2 Bordeaux 13/02/22

Lens 1-1 Lyon 19/02/22

Lens 0-1 Brest 05/03/22

Lens latest away form

Lens have recently been on a relatively poor run of form on the road, having won just two of their five most recent matches. Their most recent away win came on February 27 when they defeated Angers 2-1. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded six.

Nice 2-1 Lens 22/12/21

Saint-Etienne 1-2 Lens 15/01/22

Lorient 2-0 Lens 06/02/22

Angers 1-2 Lens 27/02/22

Metz 0-0 Lens 13/03/22

Clermont latest home form

Clermont have recently been on a relatively poor run of form at home, having won just one of their nine most recent matches. That victory came on January 23 when they managed to defeat Rennes 2-1. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded eight.

Clermont 0-2 Strasbourg 19/01/22

Clermont 2-1 Rennes 23/01/22

Clermont 1-2 Saint-Etienne 13/02/22

Clermont 1-1 Bordeaux 27/02/22

Clermont 0-2 Lorient 13/03/22

Clermont latest away form

Clermont have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having lost in three of their five most recent matches. They lost 2-0 to Bastia in the Coupe de France on January 2. In their last five matches, they have scored three goals and conceded 10.

Bastia 2-0 Clermont 02/01/22

Monaco 4-0 Clermont 16/01/22

Nice 0-1 Clermont 06/02/22

Marseille 0-2 Clermont 20/02/22

Lille 4-0 Clermont 06/03/22

Lens news

Lens do not have any fresh injury concern to deal with but will have to do without the services of defender Facundo Medina who is on a one-game suspension with a red card.

Forwards Corentin Jean and Wesley Said remain sidelined for the Saturday’s game with knee and muscle injuries respectively.

Clermont news

Barring any fresh injury issues to deal with, Clermont may retain the same first XI who started against Lorient on Sunday.

In a 4-2-3-1 formation, Grejohn Kyei is expected to lead the line for the visitors, being supported by the trio of Lucas Da Cunha, Jason Berthomier and Elba Rashani.