The Matchday 18 clash in Ligue 1 between Lens and PSG will take place on January 18 at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. Lens vs. PSG: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Jérémy Pignard (France)
Matches – 7 (Ligue 1, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 30;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.3;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 20;
Penalties – 29%.
Predicted lineups for Lens vs. PSG
Lens (4-2-3-1): Kouakou Koffi – Deiver Machado, Facundo Medina, Kevin Danso, Przemysław Frankowski – Andy Diouf, Adrien Thomasson – Anass Zaroury, Angelo Fulgini, Florian Sotoca – Gudin Koyalipu.
PSG (4-1-2-3): Gianluigi Donnarumma – Nuno Mendes, Lucas Hernandez, Lucas Beraldo, Achraf Hakimi – Fabián Ruiz – Senny Mayulu, Lee Kang-In – Bradley Barcola, Gonçalo Ramos, Ousmane Dembélé.
Each team's starting lineup from their last match in this tournament is indicated.
Lens
In the 17th round, William Still's men defeated Le Havre (2-1). The club has lost only once in the last five league matches (3 wins, 1 draw). They are currently seventh in the standings, just one point away from the European competition spots, with a three-point lead over their closest rival, Toulouse. Notably, Lens has scored only 8 goals at home in Ligue 1 2024/25 – only Le Havre has a worse record (6).
Key defender Kevin Danso and midfielder David Pereira da Costa will miss the game due to suspension. Defender Ruben Aguilar has recovered from injury and will participate in the upcoming match.
- Opponents have scored no more than twice in 6 of the last 8 home matches in the league.
- The team has not lost in 9 of their last 12 home matches in this tournament (5 wins, 4 draws).
- No more than one goal was scored in the first half in 6 of Lens' last 7 home games in Ligue 1.
PSG
In the last round, Luis Enrique's side defeated Saint-Étienne (2-1). Over the past ten matches in Ligue 1, the club has secured eight wins and two draws. Recall that PSG is the only team yet to lose in this championship. They maintain the top spot in the standings, with a seven-point lead over their closest pursuer. Notably, the club has scored 20 goals in away matches in Ligue 1 2024/25 – only Marseille has a better record (25).
Due to health issues, key forward Ousmane Dembélé will not play.
- The team scored first in 10 of their last 13 away league matches.
- PSG won 10 of their last 13 away games in this tournament.
- The club scored in the first half in 8 of their last 11 away matches in Ligue 1.
Lens vs. PSG: Match Prediction
Lens rarely struggles offensively at home – the club has scored in 12 of their last 16 home league matches. However, the team's defense has been unreliable in recent games – William Still's side conceded in 4 of their last 5 matches in this tournament. Only the current Ligue 1 underdog Montpellier failed to score against Lens during this period (2-0).
PSG's defense on the road also seems vulnerable – Luis Enrique's side conceded in 6 of their last 8 away league matches. However, the club has no issues with scoring – they found the net in 12 of their last 13 away games in this tournament, scoring at least twice in 10 of those matches.
Additionally, both teams scored in their last head-to-head meeting in the Coupe de France (1-1). I believe that in the upcoming match, neither side will keep a clean sheet. My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
