Reims and Lens will be back in action this weekend when they exchange tackles at the Stade Auguste-Delaune II in the 36th round of the French Ligue 1. Match day schedules for May 8, 2022 at 16:00 EAT.
Reims is stuck in mid-table as the sharp end of the Ligue 1 season approaches, they sit 12th in the table with a five-point gap to 11th and a seven-point gap over the relegation battle. The club has been showing mixed results in a few recent weeks, with the loss tot Rennes followed up by a goalless draw with Montpellier and an unexpected win over Lille was followed up by a loss to Marseille.
Les Rouges et Blancs will be looking for another win following 1-2 Ligue 1 victory to beat FC Lorient in their last outing. In that match, Reims had 48% possession, 12 shots with two of them on target and goals scored by Arber Zeneli (17′) and El Bilal Touré (59′). FC Lorient got 20 shots with eight of them on target and a goal by Terem Moffi (32′).
Meanwhile, Lens is only five points below Nice in the fifth position and could easily join the battle for the UEFA Europa League in the final three rounds of the season. The club won three and drew two of the previous five league outings. They showed an amazing team spirit to come back from a two-goal deficit in the home clash against Coupe de France finalists Nantes with ten men on the pitch last weekend.
Les Sang et shares spoils 2-2 in the Ligue 1 with Nantes in their last fixture. In that match, RC Lens had 53% possession, 20 shots with five of them on target and goals scored by David Costa (67′) and Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga (81′). FC Nantes got 13 shots with five of them on target and goal by Moses Simon (8′, 32′).
Reims vs Lens head to head
Lens claims a slight upper hand in the history of this fixture winning seven times out of the 16 meetings since 2008. Five matches ended with the spoils shared while Reims has won four times.
- Lens 2-0 Reims 01/10/21
- Lens 2-1 Reims 24/07/21
- Reims 1-1 Lens 13/02/21
- Lens 4-4 Reims 08/11/20
- Reims 2-0 Lens 06/01/19
Home
- Lorient 1-2 Reims
- Reims 0-1 Marseille
- Reims 2-1 Lille
- Montpellier 0-0 Reims
- Reims 2-3 Rennes
Away
- Lens 2-2 Nantes
- PSG 1-1 Lens
- Lens 2-0 Montpellier
- Lille 1-2 Lens
- Lens 3-0 Nice
Reims team news
Jens Cajuste Hugo Ekitike and Moreto Cassamá won’t be available for Reims manager Óscar García’s selection through injuries.
Lens team news
As for manager Franck Haise, Leca will miss out due to red card, leaving backup goalkeeper Walter Farinez the responsibility.
Prediction and odds
Lens are enjoying a fantastic spell of form having won three and drew two of the last five league games and they also won the previous two head to head meetings against this rival while Reims has a poor home record this season and the fact that the hosts have remained inconsistent makes it is hard to look past the away win pick.
- Lens Win
- Draw
- Goals under 2.5
