Lens take on the visitors Lorient in the round 32 match of French Ligue 1. The match will be played on Friday, April 3rd at Stade Bollaert-Delelis (Lens).
Last year's Ligue 1 runner-up is currently situated in the sixth position in the table, just three rounds before the end of the current season. And the maximum they can do is secure a spot in European competitions. However, they still need to fight for a place in the Champions League zone, as Marseille and Lyon are almost breathing down the neck of Franck Haise's team. Losing points at home against one of the championship's underdogs like Lorient are simply not an option. And I believe it won't happen. Yes, the blood and gold haven't been as formidable at home this season, but they still have won more than half of their home matches in Ligue 1. In the previous one, for example, they defeated Clermont, who were at the bottom of the table. Now, the penultimate team is visiting them.
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Indeed, last season's solid middle-of-the-pack team, Lorient, risks relegation to the country's second league at the end of the current championship. Three rounds before the end, the merluzes find themselves in the relegation zone. Points are vital for Régis Le Bris's team, as their chances of survival exist; there's only a three-point gap to Metz and Le Havre. However, as practice often shows, having motivation to stop losing is rarely enough. Heading into the match against Lorient, Lorient's players are on a streak of five consecutive defeats: against Brest (0-1), Toulouse (1-2), Montpellier (0-2), Nice (0-3), and PSG (1-4). It's unlikely they'll even secure a draw at the Stade du Moustoir.
One is still aiming for a place in the European competition zone, while the other is fighting to remain in Ligue 1. And here, in my opinion, the difference in class between the teams will become apparent, which undoubtedly exists. And the home field advantage, as the saying goes, home is where the heart is. I believe Lorient should take all three points here. As for the total goals, over 1.5 was met in 22 matches involving the blood and gold in the 31st round of the championship, and in 26 matches involving Lorient. My prediction is Home Win + Over 1.5 goals. Motivated guests are more than capable of helping the hosts reach the desired total. But even Lorient alone can accomplish this task.
Prediction for the match: Lens to win and Over 1.5 scored goals.
