Predictions for Today’s Football Matches

• This season, Lens has been struggling to achieve its European goals due to its inconsistency. They have won just three of their last 11 Ligue 1 matches (five draws and three losses), leaving them outside the top six before the weekend. However, after a 2-0 win against Reims last weekend, the Blood and Gold are on the hunt for their first back-to-back victories since the first two matchdays of the season.
• The upcoming game against bottom-of-the-table Montpellier makes Lens the hot favourites. They have won 21 of the 44 Ligue 1 home-and-away games against Montpellier, which is their highest winning percentage against any current top-flight team. However, the hosts have failed to win their last three games against Montpellier (three draws). After being beaten 3-1 by Marseille in their last home game, they could suffer back-to-back league losses on their own turf for the first time since January 2021.
• Montpellier will travel with confidence, with new manager Jean-Louis Gasset having improved their performances and results since joining the club (one win, one draw, three losses). Despite an impressive 2-2 draw with Lille in which La Paillade twice came from behind, their measly eight points is their worst total at this stage of any top-flight season.
• Most worryingly, 11 of the last 12 teams with as many points after as many games were relegated, with Lorient in 2020/21 being the only exception. Montpellier therefore need to get points on the board quickly. They have lost all six away league matches this term, and only four teams have opened a Ligue 1 campaign with seven consecutive road defeats in the 21st century!
• Players to watch: Lens midfielder Angelo Fulgini has directly contributed to a goal in back-to-back matches. He has recorded five goal contributions against Montpellier down the years, but has won just two of these prior 13 home-and-away matches. Visiting captain Téji Savanier assisted his side’s opener against Lille last week, but he has not scored a goal since the opening day of the season — an ongoing ten-match drought.
• Hot stat: Lens’ Ligue 1 matches this season have produced a division-low average of 2.08 total goals.

Prediction: Home Win | Average odds: 1.33 | Bookmaker: Bet365