After a tough start to the campaign, things have started to pick up for last season’s Ligue 1 runners-up Lens.
Franck Haise’s side return to action after the international break on a five-game unbeaten streak in all competitions, a run which includes a 2-1 win over Arsenal in the Champions League.
Next up for Lens is a trip to Le Havre, who are one point and place better off than the Blood and Gold.
Ligue 2 champions last term, Le Havre have made a satisfactory beginning to the season, although defeats to Lille and Marseille prior to the international break hinted that they still have progress to make if they are to compete against France’s best.
Team news
Midfielder Rassoul Ndiaye is suspended after being sent off in Le Havre’s 3-0 defeat at Marseille prior to the international break.
Striker Mohamed Bayo limped off against Marseille but could feature. However, Alois Confais and Oussama Targhalline are likely to miss the visit of Lens due to injury.
Lens will be without the suspended Elye Wahi, who picked up his third yellow card of the campaign against Lille last time out.
Wuilker Farinez and Jimmy Cabot are injured but defenders Kevin Danso and Massadio Haidara are hopeful of shaking off their respective knocks.
Match Odds
Lens are favourites to win the match at 4/5, while the hosts are 18/5 to claim the three points. The draw is priced at 5/2, and if you think there’ll be plenty of goals then over 2.5 goals can be backed at EVS.
Lens to win @ 4/5
Lens have struggled to replicate the form that saw them finish second in Ligue 1 last season, but there were signs that they were getting their act together before the international break.
A home win over Arsenal in the Champions League was the highlight of a five-match unbeaten run for Haise’s visitors, and if performing to a similar standard they should be too strong for Le Havre.
Last season’s Ligue 2 champions lost only one of their first six games in the top flight but they have been put in their place by Lille and Marseille in their last two matches and Lens’ extra quality could tell at the Stade Oceane.
Lens to receive most booking points @ 8/5
Lens are the most cautioned side in Ligue 1 so far this campaign.
They’ve picked up 20 yellow cards across their eight league matches, more than double than their opponents this weekend. The visitors have also received one red card in comparison to the hosts’ two.
However, I think the value lies with backing the away side to receive the most booking points.
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