RC Lens vs Lorient: Betting Odds & Prediction
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European football-chasing RC Lens host relegation-threatened Lorient at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Friday evening.
The match will have implications at both ends of the Ligue 1 table with just three matches remaining. Kick-off is set for 8pm UK time.
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RC Lens
The home side are five points adrift of fifth-placed Nice in the Europa Conference League qualification spot. However, a run of just one win in their last six Ligue 1 outings has severely hampered their chances at playing in European competition next season. Lens must enjoy a near faultless end to the season if they are to have any chance of gaining ground on the top five spots.
Their record on home turf suggests they could move three points closer this weekend. Averaging 1.8 points across 15 home outings, only six sides boast better home records in the division. Lens have only won two of their last five at Estadio Bollaert-Delelis, though.
Goalscoring hasn't been a problem for Franck Haise's side, who have averaged an impressive 1.53 goals scored in home fixtures. Only two of these games have seen them fail to score, while six have seen them bag two or more.
An average of 1.07 conceded is also a respectable return. With five home clean sheets to their name already, Lens will be confident of securing another three points on Friday.
Lorient
Régis Le Bris' men are in dire need of points if they are to avoid relegation to Ligue 2. Sitting in 17th, Lorient are three points adrift of Le Havre in 15th heading into the match at Estadio Bollaert-Delelis. They are also winless in their last seven, six of which ended in defeat, with just four goals scored during that period.
Lorient have been unconvincing both home and away this term, but the 0.87 points averaged on the road slightly betters the 0.81 they've managed on home soil. They've still lost their last two away outings though, conceding a combined five goals against Nice and Montpellier without reply.
A respectable return of 1.07 goals scored on the road has been severely hampered by the alarming 2.07 conceded in away fixtures. Lorient have kept just one clean sheet on their travels, and have conceded three or more goals on eleven occasions this term.
Prediction
It's hard to see Lorient's situation improving in this one. Their torrid defensive record will leave the Lens attacking line licking their lips given their own impressive scoring tally at Estadio Bollaert-Delelis. Though there is little value in backing the home side on the moneyline, OddsNow anticipate plenty of goalscoring action in this one as Lens look to keep pace with the sides occupying the European qualification spots.