Lyon welcome Lens to the Groupama Stadium in Sunday’s French Ligue 1 clash. The hosts are battling to secure a top-four finish and, given their impressive home form lately, should come out on top against the struggling visitors.
Lyon claimed a 4-1 home victory over Rennes in their previous Ligue 1 fixture, with Georges Mikautadze among the goals. That result was a boost to their UEFA Champions League hopes as it moved them within two points off the top three.
That win is also part of a solid home record for Lyon, who are unbeaten in 11 of their last 12 matches in front of their fans, picking up nine wins in that run. Paulo Fonseca's men have scored two or more goals in the last six fixtures in that run but have failed to keep a clean sheet in the last five.
Things have been a bit erratic for Lens lately having picked up two wins and suffered three defeats in their last five matches. Will Still's men have slipped to ninth in the table and travel to the Groupama Stadium off the back of a 4-0 home defeat to Auxerre last time out.
Lens have also been unconvincing on their travels, with three defeats in their last five away matches. However, they claimed a 3-1 victory at Brest in their previous fixture on the road and will be keen to replicate that performance on Sunday.
How the bookies view it: Lyon overwhelming favourites
Lyon has been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies, with BoyleSports offering odds of 1/2 for a home win. A victory for Lens has been set at 15/4 while a draw is valued at 10/3 on BoyleSports.
Head to head: Lyon on top
Lyon have a 23-12 advantage with 13 draws from 48 previous matches against Lens. However, the visitors claimed a 3-0 victory on their last visit to the Groupama Stadium while the reverse fixture in September ended in a 0-0 draw.
Players to watch: Dependable Mikautadze
Mikautadze is enjoying a fine campaign for Lyon and has scored 16 goals in all competitions. The forward has also found the net four times in the last six Ligue 1 fixtures and with Alexandre Lacazette suspended, will be the one to watch at 11/10 with BoyleSports.
Neil El Aynaoui is fast becoming a clutch player for Lens and has developed the knack for scoring on the road. He has been on target in three of the last four away matches and is priced at 11/2 by BoyleSports to find the net on Sunday.
Probable line-ups
Lyon will be without Ernest Nuamah due to injury while captain Alexandre Lacazette is suspended for this fixture. However, Malick Fofana, Rayan Cherki and Mikautadze are all expected to start.
Denis Petric, Remy Labeau and Jhoanner Chavez are all ruled out due to injuries while Florian Sotoca is suspended. However, Goduine Koyalipou, Andy Diouf and El Aynaoui are all expected to start.
Lyon: Perri, Tagliafico, Niakhate, Mata, Maitland-Niles, Tolisso, Matic, Fofana, Almada, Cherki, Mikautadze
Lens: Ryan, Sarr, Bah, Gradit, Machado, El Aynaoui, Thomasson, Aguilar, Diouf, Zaroury, Koyalipou
Anything else catch the eye?
Lyon have scored in both halves in their last six home matches in all competitions and a repeat is priced at 23/20 by BoyleSports. Three of the last five meetings have also produced more goals after the break and a similar result is valued at 10/11 with BoyleSports.
Lyon have also earned a win and over 2.5 goals in five of their last six home matches and given the minimal odds for a straight victory, a similar outcome can be considered at 23/10.
This French Ligue 1 match between Lyon and Lens will be played on and kick off at 16:15. Check below for our tipsters best Lyon vs Lens prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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