BETTING GUIDE: Lens vs Le Havre, match preview, team news and betting tip
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Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 29.01.26. | 14:26
Lens comes into this clash sitting second in the Ligue 1 standings on 43 points, just two behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain
Friday night lights at Stade Bollaert-Delelis signal the return of Ligue 1 action, with Round 20 getting underway in a fixture shaped by contrasting ambitions.
One side is looking to respond after a costly stumble at the summit, while the other arrives intent on widening the gap between themselves and danger. With significance at both ends of the table, the stage is set for a tightly contested and tactically engaging encounter - Lens vs Le Havre.
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Lens comes into this clash sitting second in the Ligue 1 standings on 43 points, just two behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
Their 3-1 defeat away to Marseille last weekend brought an end to a remarkable 10-match winning streak across all competitions and marked only their second league loss of the campaign.
Despite that setback, Pierre Sage’s side remain formidable, particularly on home soil. Lens have won eight of their nine league matches at Stade Bollaert-Delelis this season and are unbeaten there domestically, conceding just four goals at home in Ligue 1.
Across their last six matches in all competitions, Lens have scored 13 goals and conceded only four, underlining their balance at both ends of the pitch.
Defensively, Lens boast the second-best record in the division, having allowed just 16 goals in 19 league games. Their home form has been especially impressive, with four consecutive domestic clean sheets recorded at Bollaert-Delelis.
Attacking contributions continue to come from key figures such as Wesley Said, the club’s top scorer, while midfield creator Adrien Thomasson leads the assist charts.
Team news is mostly positive, although Jonathan Gradit and Jhoanner Chavez remain doubts, while Regis Gurtner and Samson Baidoo are sidelined with hamstring injuries.
Le Havre, meanwhile, begin the round in 15th place with 20 points from 19 matches. Didier Digard’s side are not prolific, but they have built their campaign on resilience and defensive organisation. They are unbeaten in Ligue 1 in 2026 so far and come into this match off a respectable 0-0 draw at home to Monaco.
In their last six matches across all competitions, Le Havre have scored just three goals but conceded five, with five of those games producing under 2.5 goals.
Away from home, however, results have been less encouraging, as they are winless in their last four road trips and failed to score in three of them. In terms of personnel, Le Havre are dealing with several absences, including Abdoulaye Toure, Etienne Youte Kinkoue and Gautier Lloris, while Reda Khadra remains a doubt.
Goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau impressed last time out, keeping a clean sheet against Monaco, and will be relied upon again as Le Havre looks to frustrate one of the league’s most potent home sides.
The head-to-head record between these two suggests entertainment. Lens have taken points from five of the last six meetings, including a 2-1 away win earlier this season, but Le Havre famously won 4-3 at this venue last campaign.
Each of the last three encounters has produced over 2.5 goals, with 15 goals scored across the last four meetings overall.
Key Pointers;
Lens have won 10 of their previous 11 games.
Seven of Lens’ last 10 matches featured over 2.5 goals.
Le Havre have recorded just one win in their last 10 outings, losing four.
The last four meetings between these sides produced a combined 15 goals.
Le Havre are winless in their last four away games, suffering two defeats.
Lens’ dominant home form, superior attacking output and strong defensive record make them clear favourites.
Le Havre may compete and show resilience, but against elite opposition, they have struggled.
With recent meetings producing goals and Lens pushing to reclaim top spot, the value lies with a home win combined with a high-scoring outcome.
Prediction; Lens to win and over 2.5 goals
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