Lens, seventh on goal difference, will try to keep their push for European qualification going when they play host to the middle of the Ligue 1 pack in midtable Montpellier HSC on Wednesday with kickoff at 10 pm.
Lens missed out on European qualification last season by a single point, and all the signs suggest that it will be a close-run thing this season. Seventh-placed Lens is three points adrift of Strasbourg, who sit in the fifth position—Lens has seemingly found form at just the right time, collecting nine points from their last four matches.
They can claim a third consecutive victory on Wednesday when they face Nice, whom they brushed aside before edging past their local rivals Lille in the Derby du Nord. With strikes from Przemyslaw Frankowski and Arnaud, Kalimuendo gave Lens a two-goal lead—through, Xeka pulled a goal back before the break. Though Lille pulled another goal back before half-time, Franck Haise’s side claimed all three points.
Montepellier is currently in midtable obscurity with nine points separating them from the top five while enjoying a 13-point cushion to the bottom three. Montpellier sat in a lofty fifth position at the turn of the year but has slipped down the Ligue 1 table after a disappointing run of results.
Lens vs Montpellier Head to Head
Both sides have 12 games against each other, with hosts taking five wins while visitors with six wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Lille 1-2 Lens
- Lens 3-0 Nice
- Strasbourg 1-0 Lens
- Lens 3-1 Clermont
- Metz 0-0 Lens
Away
- Montpellier 0-0 Reims
- Marseille 2-0 Montpellier
- Montpellier 1-2 Brest
- Bordeaux 0-2 Montpellier
- Montpellier 0-0 Nice
Lens Team News
Corentin Jean is expected to start for Montpellier against Lens after returning from injury and getting called up to the matchday squad on Saturday. The hosts will continue to be without suspended defender Massadio Haidara. At the same time, Cheick Doucoure will be available after serving a one-match suspension, resulting in Patrick Berg dropping down to the bench.
Montpellier Team News
The visitors have no new injury issues, although they remain without Thibault Tamas and Pedro Mendes.
Prediction and Odds
Lens will be buoyed by their derby win, and the motivation of a top-five finish should inspire them over Montpellier, who are experiencing a poor run of form.
- Lens Win
- Goals Under 3.5
- Both Teams to Score
