Lens-Strasbourg is a match valid for the twenty-first day of Ligue 1 and is played on Saturday at 5 p.m.: statistics, probable formations, predictions.
Lens dreams of hooking up with rivals Lille in fourth place, Strasbourg, on the other hand, goes in the hunt for the coup de grâce that would allow them to get closer to the positions that count. In any case, we are talking about two ambitious teams, both capable of moving up the ladder after a problematic first part of the season.
The return of Lens to the top six, in fact, was by no means a foregone conclusion if we consider that the Sang et Or, last year’s main antagonists of PSG in the title fight, had started in the worst way (perhaps shaken by the numerous summer disposals). That is, with a string of defeats that for the first two months confined them to the bottom of the standings. Then the rebirth, stimulated also by the excellent run in the Champions League – the third place in the group was worth the relegation to the Europa League and next week they will face Freiburg in the play-off for access to the round of 16 – with coach Franck Haise who has painstakingly managed to make his team regain the spirit and certainties of last year. Lens did not disband even after the defeat, their first in 2024, to PSG (0-2). In the next two matches, the Giallorossi beat Toulouse and Nantes on the road, scoring 3 goals in total and keeping their goal unbeaten on both occasions.
Lens “review” fourth place
Six points that have propelled the Sang et Or to sixth place, just three lengths from the Champions zone: in short, the reckoning will have to be done with them as well.
Strasbourg, coming off a difficult year, is fighting for different goals, but their excellent results since December have allowed Patrick Vieira’s men to peep into the left side of the standings (they are currently tenth). The long positive streak came to a halt on the last day, with the Alsatians surrendering – but without being outclassed – by leading PSG (1-2). Redemption came in the French Cup: everything was easy against Le Havre, beaten clearly 3-1 at the Stade de la Meinau.
The prediction
Lens at home usually concedes very little. And in the challenge with Strasbourg, it could make a difference that the Giallorossi have had more days to prepare for the match, not having been engaged in the French Cup. Hosts favored in a match of less than four goals overall.
Lens-Strasbourg likely lineups
LENS (3-4-3): Samba; Gradit, Danso, Medina; Frankowski, Abdul Samed, Diouf, Chavez; Da Costa, Wahi, Sotoca.
STRASBOURG (4-3-3): Bellaarouch; Senaya, Perrin, Sylla, Guilbert; Mwanga, Sissoko, Diarra; Bakwa, Sahi Dion, Angelo.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-0
