Lens vs Clermont Prediction & Betting Tips - Ligue 1

Prediction published on 18/04/2024, 15:00  by Nella Wagah | Modified on 20/04/2024 at 07:00 in Ligue 1 Prediction

Lens will be keen on returning to winning ways when they host Clermont in their next Ligue 1 game. The two sides are battling on different fronts, Lens chasing European football as Clermont push for survival. The hosts start the weekend in sixth place, on 43 points, two ahead of seventh placed Lyon. It is the sides ahead of them that Lens will be keen on catching though, as they seek the Champions League spots. As things stand, they are nine points behind the automatic Champions League spot, with five matches to play. Lens are further disadvantaged by having played a game more than the three sides ahead of them. Taking on a side battling for survival doesn’t come with a lot of guarantees, even though Lens have dominated previous meetings with Clermont. In the last four meetings with Clermont, Lens posted straight wins. However, in the run up to this game, they lost crucial ground in losses to Nice and Lille. They also failed to beat struggling Le Havre and Metz, while they managed just three clean sheets in 10 league games.

Clermont will hope to take over from where Metz left, in beating Lens. They will want to build on their draws with PSG and Montpellier in their last two matches. The visitors’ tally of 22 points places them six points below the safety zone and they have all to play for. Clermont have collected just five points in their last six matches. The win over Le Havre in March is all they have to show in their last 12 outings. Having struggled in this fixture, Clermont will be aware they go into it as the underdogs. It has been tougher for them away from home, winning just two points in their last five matches on the road. Les Lanciers’ 11 points away from home in the league this season is the second poorest. Only Marseille have been worse (earning 10 points on their away days). Clermont have beaten only Lyon and Nantes on their travels this season in Ligue 1, a run they hope to improve on here.