Lens take on the visitors Arsenal in the round 2 match of UEFA Champions League group stage. The match will be played on Monday, October 3rd at Stade Bollaert-Delelis (Lens).
Lens are clearly giving their all in the Champions League. The Blood and Gold are possibly the strongest they've been in two decades, reminiscent of their peak at the turn of the century when they became French champions for the only time in their history and reached the semifinals of European competition. However, not long ago, it seemed that the club was hopelessly stuck in Ligue 2, and it was only through the investments of new ambitious owners combined with the talents of coach Franck Haise that they finally managed to make their way back in 2020. Last season, they secured the runners-up position, just 1 point behind PSG. Currently, their domestic performance is modest, at best, more like that of a mid-table team. However, they marked their long-awaited return to the Champions League with a 1-1 draw in Seville.
| 2 x £10 Free Bet | Review | |||
| 100$-500$ for No Lose Free Bets | Review | |||
| 100% up to £200 | Review | |||
| Not available | Review |
The Gunners led the Premier League for a long time in the previous season. Yes, in the end, they faltered and conceded the title without much of a fight to the usual favorite, Manchester City. However, securing the runner-up spot was undoubtedly a significant leap forward. Among other things, it allowed them to finally return to the Champions League, inspiring the purchase of expensive newcomers, including Rice. Equally powerfully, just like last autumn, Zinchenko and his team couldn't start perfectly, suffering a couple of setbacks. However, they are looking good, having already won the FA Community Shield by defeating the Citizens there (even though it was via a penalty shootout). Their best performance so far was in the Champions League, where they crushed PSV.
In 1998, the French collected 4 points against Arsenal and advanced from the Champions League group stage, alongside Kiev's Dynamo, reaching the playoffs. But in the following season, in the UEFA Cup semifinals, the Gunners confidently took revenge, winning twice. Currently, the English team is much stronger. Let's bet on their victory with a -1 goal handicap.
Prediction for the match: Arsenal to win with -1.0 handicap.
