Preview: Lens vs Le Havre Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | Ligue 1 2025-26

The Blood and Gold will take on the Dean Club on matchday 20 of Ligue 1!

Second-placed RC Lens lost their incredible winning run against Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille by 3-1, and now they will host Le Havre at home and will aim to bounce back from that defeat. PSG are now the Ligue leaders and Lens will be hungry to get back that top spot. Last time these two sides faced this season, Lens beat Le Havre by 2-1.

Lens have played 19 matches so far, in which they have won 14, drawn once and lost four matches. With 43 points on the table, they sit in the second spot, just two points behind PSG. Last season was a very one-sided competition in Ligue 1, as PSG clearly dominated the league and won it comfortably, but this year, Lens and Marseille are giving a tough challenge to the Parisians.

On the other hand, newly promoted Le Havre are sitting just above the relegation zone and are eight points apart from Auxerre, who sit in 17th place. In 19 matches, they won four, drew eight and lost seven matches, with 20 points, they sit at 15th place. They aren’t on a similar level as compared to Lens, and will have to give their best to get a positive result away from home. This will be a mouthwatering clash for sure.

Kick-off:

• Location: Lens, France
• Stadium: Stade Bollaert-Delelis
• Date: Saturday, 31 January
• Kick-off Time: 01:15 AM IST
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In use

Form

Lens (in all competitions): L-W-W-W-W

Le Havre (in all competitions): D-D-W-L-L

Players to Watch

Odsonne Edouard (Lens)

Edouard stands at 6’2 with a decent build, but isn’t a physical player. He can handle himself well but is fairly weak in duels and can go down easily at times. He has great acceleration and overall speed.

Due to his quick feet and good agility, he is able to beat defenders and confidently take on players. His work rate at times is not good at all, and surely he needs to work on that. In 15 matches this season, he has scored seven goals and provided two assists.

Loic Nego (Le Havre)

Nego is a traditional full-back, but at times he can play as a wing-back as well. He represented France at youth football, but later on he changed his mind and is now a Hungarian international player.

This is his third season with the club, and he has been an integral part of the team. Nego is 35 years old, and the veteran is someone in the team who can be relied on. This season, he has played 18 matches in which he got two yellow cards.

Match Facts

• RC Lens’s last home win against Le Havre was in 2016.
• Lens sit at second spot in the table, and Le Havre sit at 15th spot
• Lens beat Le Havre by 2-1 in their last meeting

Lens vs Le Havre: Betting Tips & Odds

• Tip 1 – Lens to win this fixture – 2/5 by BETFRED
• Tip 2 – Both teams to score
• Tip 3 – Goals scored over 1.5

Injury and Team News

Regis Gurtner is doubtful for this fixture due to a hamstring strain. The rest of the squad is fully fit to play for the home side.

Abdoulaye Toure is out due to a knee problem, and Kinkoue is doubtful as well due to an injury. The rest of the squad is fully fit to play.

Head-to-Head

Matches: 25

Lens: 7

Le Havre: 9

Draws: 9

Predicted Lineups

Lens Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1):

Risser (GK); Ganiou, Sarr, Abdulhamid; Aguilar, Thomasson, Sangare, Udol; Thauvin, Said; Edouard

Le Havre Predicted Lineup (3-4-1-2):

Mpasi (GK); Sangante, Seko, Ndiaye; Nego, Ebonog, Douath, Zouaoui; Mambimbi; Samatta, Quetant

Match Prediction

Lens are a much better team quality-wise as compared to Le Havre, and the home side is also are in better form. Lens are clear favourites to win this fixture, and most probably they will win this match with ease.

Prediction: Lens 2-1 Le Havre

Telecast Details

India: N/A

UK: Ligue 1 Pass

USA: beIN Sports

Nigeria: MBS Sports

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