Lille vs Lens tips and predictions: Honours even in Derby du Nord

Lille and Lens are having a strong season with both teams pushing for European football and have a chance of finishing second.

The hosts are fourth in the table with 43 points, three points behind Monaco, while Lens are sixth with 42 points, one point behind their rivals. 

Lille played three consecutive draws before the international break to extend their unbeaten streak to five matches.

On the other hand, Lens lost 3-1 at home to Nice in their last outing and have won two of their previous five matches.

They’ll have a hard time returning to winning ways on Friday as Les Douges are unbeaten at home in 13 matches, a run that stretches back to September.

Franck Haise’s visitors can boast of being unbeaten in five away games but they’ve taken advantage of weak opposition in Nantes, Lyon and Toulouse.

Regardless of who they faced, Lens have lost once in 10 Ligue 1 away games and deserve immense credit for keeping eight clean sheets in 10 outings.

There were under 2.5 goals in eight of those matches and that’s in keeping with recent meetings. The reverse fixture finished 1-1 while Lille won the home meeting 1-0.

 

Suggested bets

Both teams to score

Under 2.5 goals

Result: Draw

• Sergiu Baltuta provides tips as SVB Tips on Tipstrr