Brest vs Lens Prediction: High-scoring success for title chasers

An exciting end to the season is in store for RC Lens, who booked their place in next month’s Coupe de France final with a 3-2 semi-final success over Toulouse on Tuesday. Before they go for glory in Paris, though, Les Sang et Or have five ‘cup finals’ in Ligue 1 as they look to pip four-time defending champions PSG to the title.

The first of those five games arrives this Friday (19:45 BST, Ligue 1 Pass) at the Stade Francis-Le Ble, where Stade Brestois 29 lie in wait. Below are my Brest vs Lens predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

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Team News

Brest trio Mame Balde (thigh), Kamory Doumbia (groin) and Bradleyv Locko (hamstring) are set to sit out Friday's contest.

Football Odds

Regis Gurtner, Samson Baidoo, (both muscle), Kyllian Antonio (foot), Jonathan Gradit (thigh) and Ruben Aguilar (calf) all look likely to miss out again for Lens due to injury.

Brest vs Lens Odds

Brest are 18/5, or a 21.7% chance, to win, with Lens 7/10, implying a 58.8% probability of success, and the draw offered at 3/1.

Match Result & Both Teams to Score - Lens & Yes @ 21/10

Lens have won their four of their last five games in all competitions (L1), and they've conceded in all four of those victories.

Les Sang et Or haven't kept a clean sheet in their last seven matches, and just two in their last 10.

Today's Football Fixtures

Brest, meanwhile, have scored in eight of their last 10 contests, including both this month, although they're on a four-game winless run, losing three straight games before drawing 1-1 at FC Nantes last Sunday.

Lens to win and both teams to score was a winning bet in both head-to-heads last year, with a 3-1 victory at the Stade Francis-Le Ble in April followed by a win by the same scoreline in August's reverse fixture this season.

Brest don't have much to play for, so this is a bit of a free hit for them, while Lens are going all out for the Ligue 1 title, so the motivation to win is all with the visitors.

Player to Have 1 or More Shots On Target - Saud Abdulhamid (RCL) @ 12/5

Lens wing-back Saud Abdulhamid has been integral to his side's last two wins, scoring their first in a 3-2 comeback victory over Toulouse in Ligue 1 before providing two assists in a 4-1 Coupe de France semi-final triumph over the same opposition four days later.

The 26-year-old has scored two league goals this season, and both have been struck in his last five competition appearances.

At 12/5, there could be value in backing Abdulhamid to register a shot on target on Friday, while he can be found at 15/2 in the anytime goalscorer market.