Lens looks to extend its streak against a resurgent Auxerre in Ligue 1

Stade Felix Bollaert-Delelis hosts a matchup between two teams in good form when Lens welcomes Auxerre for Ligue 1. Both clubs arrive on positive runs, setting up what should be a back and forth contest between two sides that have looked sharp in recent weeks.

How the two teams arrive

Lens is going through a notable stretch: over its last five matches the club has posted four wins and just one loss, and comes in riding a streak of consecutive victories in its most recent outings. So far this season it averages 2.06 goals scored per game and concedes just 0.76, keeping a clean sheet in 47% of its matches, a number that backs up the home side's defensive solidity. Odsonne Edouard (12 goals) and Florian Thauvin (11) are the main attacking threats, and the team tends to do the most damage between the 46th and 60th minutes.

Auxerre, for its part, also arrives with momentum: across its last five fixtures it collected three wins, one draw and one loss, closing out that stretch with back to back victories. Its overall season numbers, however, are more modest: 0.94 goals scored per game and 1.58 conceded, with clean sheets in just 12% of matches. The visitors tend to score early, within the first 15 minutes, and spread their scoring load among Kevin Danois, Danny Namaso and Bryan Okoh, all with three goals apiece.

Head to head record

The recent history between these two clearly favors Lens: of the 8 matches played, the home side has won 5, there have been 2 draws and Auxerre has come out on top just once. In terms of goals, Lens has scored 11 to Auxerre's 8, a gap that reinforces the trend in the host club's favor in this matchup.

Probable lineups

As an estimated lineup without official confirmation, Lens could field Robin Risser in goal, with a back line made up of Ismaelo Ganiou, Malang Sarr and Kyllian Antonio, joined in midfield by Matthieu Udol, Saud Abdulhamid, Mamadou Sangare and Adrien Thomasson, while up front the attack could feature Florian Thauvin, Odsonne Edouard and Abdallah Sima.

For Auxerre, the probable lineup (the most reliable based on recent sampling) would have Donovan Leon between the posts, with Sinaly Diomande, Gideon Mensah, Bryan Okoh and Lamine Sy across the back. The midfield would be made up of Lassine Sinayoko, Danny Namaso, Elisha Owusu, Kevin Danois and Naouirou Ahamada, with Sekou Mara leading the attack.

Match probabilities

The numbers clearly favor Lens as the home side, though it's not a lock: a combined 41% probability of a draw or an away win leaves room for a surprise. According to the model's own estimate, expected goals sit at 1.82 for Lens and 0.85 for Auxerre, a combined total of 2.67 that suggests a game with scoring chances for both sides. In fact, the probability of the match going over 2.5 goals stands at 50%, and the chance of both teams scoring is 47%, figures that point to a fairly even contest in terms of attacking output, home favoritism aside. It's worth noting these percentages are the outlet's own estimate and not betting odds.

With Lens looking to extend its strong current form in front of its home crowd and Auxerre eager to confirm its recent upswing, the match at Stade Felix Bollaert-Delelis shapes up as a real test for both projects in Ligue 1.