Lens vs Montpellier – With just one loss all season (W6, D3, L1), Lens has had a strong start to the 2017 Ligue 1 season. This record has helped them move up to fourth position as they pursue European qualifying after narrowly missing out last season. However, their lone defeat came last week in the “Derby du Nord” away to Lille (1-0), so pressure will be on them to quickly recover and prevent consecutive league losses for the first time since February.
The only goal Lens had allowed in their previous four league games came against Lille on the road. A strong defense has been a cornerstone of Lens’ success thus far. Returning to the Stade Bollaert-Delelis will probably also bring comfort, especially because the hosts enter this round having amassed the most home points in Ligue 1 of any team (15 – W5).
Lens vs Montpellier – Betting Analysis
Montpellier, who has lost four of their past five league games, travels to Lens in contrasting form (W1). Ten fans received stadium bans this past week after disruption in their most recent 4-2 loss to Toulouse, which will not have improved their situation on the field. With a victory here, the visitors will aim to return to the news for the right reasons, but they will need to fortify their defense.
Even though they are now in tenth place, they have already given up 21 goals this season. Prior to this round, only two Ligue 1 teams had given up more goals. They have also dropped their last two league games by a combined score of two goals. Montpellier can turn things around, though, as evidenced by the fact that they have prevailed in three of their past five league trips to Lens (L2).
Salis Abdul Samed, a midfielder for Lens, should be kept an eye on because he tends to be overly aggressive, as evidenced by the fact that, at the end of the previous round, he had committed the most fouls (27) of any player. Stephy Alvaro Mavididi, who recently made a full recovery from an injury, will be attempting to score. He had eight goals in Ligue 1 last year, including the game-winning goal against Lens.
Lens vs Montpellier – Head To Head
Our Prediction: Home Win
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