Marseille vs Lens Tips: Lens to consolidate Ligue 1 top spot
The Stade Velodrome plays host to a huge game at the top of the Ligue 1 table on Saturday as surprise-package Lens visit third-placed Marseille, who could slash the gap at the top to five points with a win.
Les Phoceens did endure a difficult midweek meeting with Liverpool in the Champions League, though, while Lens will travel to southern France well-rested and looking to consolidate top spot.
Team news
Benjamin Pavard is still sidelined for Marseille, but Nayef Aguerd could return following last weekend’s Africa Cup of Nations final. Robinio Vaz, Pol Lirola, and Ruben Blanco have all moved on from the Stade Velodrome this month.
Jonathan Gradit and Jhoanner Chavez are both expected to miss out against for Lens, along with Regis Gurtner, Amadou Haidara and Anthony Bermont. Odsonne Edouard could return to the fray after being rested last weekend.
Tip 1 – Lens to win @ 5/2
After a stunning second-place finish in 2022/23, Lens took a bit of a backward step over the past two seasons, but that downturn is over and Les Sang et Or head into gameweek 19 leading the way in Ligue 1.
Their 1-0 win over Auxerre extended their winning streak to ten matches and clean-sheet run to three games, leaving them with the best defensive record in the French top flight.
Marseille did get back to winning ways at Angers last weekend, but they followed that with a 3-0 defeat at home to Liverpool in Europe, meaning they have lost their last two home games by a 5-0 aggregate scoreline.
With less rest than their in-form visitors and knowing that Lens have won the last two meetings, including last season’s trip to the Stade Velodrome, we’re backing the visitors to upset the odds and consolidate top spot.
Tip 2 – Wesley Said to score, Lens over 3.5 shots on target & Mason Greenwood over 0.5 shots on target
Wesley Said is Lens’ top goalscorer this season and scored the winning goal against Auxerre last weekend. He has notched six goals in his last eight matches and looks a good bet to get on the scoresheet again.
Lens have had 97 shots on target in Ligue 1 this season and have had at least four attempts on target in their last eight games, while Marseille have allowed their opponents 32 shots on target in their last six games.
One Marseille player who could prove a threat is Mason Greenwood, who has scored 20 goals for the club this season. He has had at least one shot on target in 24 of his 27 appearances this season, including in each of his last 21 outings. This amounts to a massive 47 shots on target in 27 appearances across all competitions, and he looks primed to give the Lens defence something to think about.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
