Lille vs Lens Predictions

• Lille have failed to beat three of their five previous top-half opponents at home
• Lille have failed to win three of their last four Ligue 1 matches
• Lens have avoided defeat in nine of their last 10 Ligue 1 away games

Lille and Lens clash in Derby du Nord

Friday’s ‘Derby du Nord’ presents Lille and Lens with an opportunity to enhance their prospects of returning to the Champions League while damaging the dreams of their rivals.

After a couple of draws with European hopefuls Rennes and Brest, Lille will feel the need to get three points against Le Sang et Or. Les Dogues are in better overall form than Lens, having lost only two of their last nine games overall and going unbeaten in their last nine at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

But their home results against current top-half teams have been a mixed bag with two wins, two draws and a defeat from five games played. They rely on the goals of Jonathan David, who is in great form at the moment, but Lille can be a bit lacklustre when the Canadian striker is not on a going day.

Visitors can pinch a point in close affair

Lens’ defence kept David quiet during October’s derby, which finished 1-1, and with Facundo Medina at the top of his game right now they should make things very tough for the hosts.

Franck Haise’s side had the better of that early-season skirmish and can avoid defeat again in this fixture. Lens have lost only one of their last 10 Ligue 1 away games and seem perfectly positioned to pick up at least a point here.

Games between these clubs are usually very close affairs with one goal making the difference one way or the other if the spoils are not shared. But, as Lille have drawn their last three games in all competitions, the last two finishing 1-1, another stalemate could be on the cards here.