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Remind me next time

Three games and nine points separate Lille from their first Ligue 1 championship since 2010-11 under former manager Rudi Garcia. Current boss Christophe Galtier has led Les Dogues on an unlikely title challenge. If Lille can stay perfect in the final three matches of the campaign, they will be crowned champions and become one of only two teams (Monaco the other) to disrupt Paris Saint-Germain's streak of titles.

Standing in their way on Friday night is another surprise package, fifth-place Lens. The Blood and Gold are fighting for Europa League qualification in their first season back in Ligue 1. Lens fell 2-1 to Paris Saint-Germain on matchday 35. Their late comeback was cut short by the Parisians.

Although Lens are playing well this season and could make it into the Europa League for next term, they lost 4-0 to Lille in the reverse fixture. Burak Yilmaz, Jonathan Bamba, Jonathan Ikone, and Yusuf Yazici all got on the scoresheet for Les Dogues.

Lille are coming off of a 2-0 win over Nice on matchday 35. Yilmaz scored yet again while countryman Mehmet Celik got the other. The goals came on either side of halftime as Lille outplayed Nice in style. Paris Saint-Germain face a must-win Champions League semifinal game against Manchester City this week. They will follow it up with a Sunday night fixture away to an in-form Rennes side.

Lens vs Lille Betting Odds

 

Lille took 13 points from the last 18 on offer in Ligue 1. They are unbeaten in their last five games with four of those finishing with four victories. Lille’s defence was excellent allowing just five goals over the course of those six games. Three of those six games ended in wins to nil for Les Dogues.

Leading sportsbooks have Lille at odds of 1/1 to win the match at full-time and remain at the top of the Ligue 1 table. If Lille win, they will move four points ahead of Paris Saint-Germain ahead of the Parisians’ Sunday night match against Rennes.

Lens are at odds of 16/5 to win at full-time according to leading bookies. Manager Franck Haise led Lens to 11 points from their last 18 on offer. Their loss to Paris Saint-Germain last weekend ended a five-match unbeaten run for the Blood and Gold. Lens outscored their last six opponents 11 to seven.

Matches between Lens and Lille have been few and far between over the years due to the teams playing in different divisions. They have played just three times in the last 10 years with Lille claiming two wins and one draw. Lille will play Saint-Etienne and Anger in their final two games of the season. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain will face off with Reims and Brest.

Lens vs Lille Team News

Lille’s excellent play has led to clubs around Europe tracking the team’s players for potential summer transfers. The latest player to be linked with a move away from Lille is midfielder Boubakary Soumare. Leicester City are rumoured to be interested in signing the 22-year-old for £35 million. Lille may be forced to sell a host of players due to financial issues and winning the title this season could be their last chance for some time.

Galtier has a near full-strength squad to select from this weekend. Yilmaz goes into the game in fantastic form. The Turkish national could be the transfer of the season after arriving at Lille on a free last summer. He has 13 goals and five assists in 25 matches. Yilmaz has accounted for 31% of Lille’s goals.

Lens manager Haise has one player that is expected to miss the game. Defender Issiaga Sylla is suspended following a straight red card against Nimes. Sylla missed the match versus Paris Saint-Germain and won’t return until Lens’ fixture against Bordeaux on May 16.

Haise was without injured first-choice goalkeeper Jean-Louis Leca against Paris Saint-Germain. Venezuelan Wulkier Farinez stepped into the position for the game. deputise between the posts. Loïc Badé and Massadio Haïdara will return from suspension. Meanwhile Gaël Kakuta could miss the game following a bout of COVID-19.

Lens vs Lille Prediction

Both teams to score goals: NO @ 1/1 - BET NOW

 

Lille’s defence must continue to come up with big performances to lead the side to a first title in a decade. Lille were the last team to win Ligue 1 before the Qatar-financed Paris Saint-Germain took over as France’s top team. The previous fixture between Lens and Lille ended in a 4-0 win for the latter. Three of Lille’s last six games in Ligue 1 finished in wins to nil.

Burak Yilmaz to score anytime @ 5/4 - BET NOW

 

Yilmaz has 13 goals this season in Ligue 1 and could be named player of the season in the French top-flight. Yilmaz has scored three goasl in his last two games to power Lille to wins in each game. Galtier will have the Turkish national leading the line once more. The manager has preferred a 4-4-2 formation with Jonathan David and Yilmaz leading the line. The striker-duo has been brilliant and combined for 24 goals and eight assists.

Under 2.5 goals scored @ 3/4 - BET NOW

 

Lille’s defence should keep Friday night’s game low scoring. Four of Lille’s last five matches in Ligue 1 finished with under 2.5 goals scored. All five of those games ended in positive results for Lille. Lens saw two of their last five games in Ligue 1 finished with fewer than 2.5 goals. Lille’s defence have conceded 22 goals which are the fewest in the league.

Lens have scored 55 goals, a fantastic number for a club that just came up from Ligue 2. But they have conceded 48 times which is keeping them from cracking the top four.

Lens can make Europe but can only qualify for the Europa League by finishing sixth. Lyon are in fourth place and the gap between the teams is too large. Lens are holding off sixth-place Marseille and seventh-place Rennes currently. They will be hungry for a win. However, playing against Ligue 1’s best team, could fall short.

Lens vs Lille Tips

Here are our Lens vs Lille tips for Friday's Ligue 1 match at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

1. Both teams to score goals: NO @ 1/1

2. Burak Yilmaz to score anytime @ 5/4

3. Under 2.5 goals scored @ 3/4

Lens vs Lille Betting Tips