Strasbourg vs RC Lens Prediction: A cagey game no doubt

Strasbourg host Lens at the Stade de la Meinau on Sunday, October 6, 2024, in a Ligue 1 match. Strasbourg are 8th in the table and welcome a Lens side currently lying in 6th position. Both teams have proved resilient so far this campaign, yet neither has truly stamped authority on the league just yet. Strasbourg enters this match following an inspiring home win over Marseille, while Lens, on the other hand, is looking to bounce back from a goalless draw against Nice, where they were down to ten men. This could be a closely fought contest between two teams seeking to move up the ladder.

Strasbourg

It has been a campaign of solidity and resilience thus far in the season for Strasbourg. A record of two wins, three draws, and one loss to date often sees them show an ability to work out results when not really at their best. In very recent times, this is decent form: three games unbeaten.

Both teams seem to prefer the 4-2-3-1 formation, but they are very different in important parts of the tactical application. The approach is pragmatic in nature, with a big focus on structured defending and transition moments that come from this. They do not dominate possession-most often at an average of 41% but make their chances count when transitions are made. They created four big chances against Marseille despite having lower possession, which goes to show just how clinical they are with their limited amount of possession. Also, given the close attention to crosses and long balls, with a percentage of long passes being 45% and crosses equalling 15%, it outlines their style of play as rather direct.

RC Lens

Lens, meanwhile, remain unbeaten this campaign but have been hindered by a preponderance of draws. Last week, a 0-0 draw against Nice, for whom they were also down to 10 men for the majority of the game, encapsulated how organized they can be at the back while still lacking in attacking bite.

They have the tendency to make the game possession-based, building it from the back and doing so with an average of 55% against Nice. Their strength has been in high pressing and immediate recovery of the ball, especially in midfield. They also pose a great threat with set-pieces, winning 11 corners in the last match. With Lens, however, Anass Zaroury will be suspended, and that might weaken their attacking flow since he was the main connection between midfield and the forward line.

Head to Head

Historically, Lens boasts the better record in this fixture. In the last 20 matches between these two teams, Lens has come out on top 9 times, while Strasbourg has emerged victorious a mere 5 times, with 6 matches finishing all square. They have been undefeated in the last four matches against Strasbourg, including the comprehensive result of 3-1 in February 2024. In head-to-head fixtures, Strasbourg has been vulnerable at the back, having conceded 4 goals in the last two meetings against this opposition. Besides, Lens has wasted no time in asserting their authority by taking the lead in 4 of the last 5 meetings.

Expert Betting Tips

This turns out to be a tightly contested match given the solid defensive records of both teams and with Lens having a host of draws this season. With Strasbourg in good form at home and Lens on an unbeaten run, neither team holds an absolute advantage over the other. A draw sounds the most feasible result as both teams give away nothing easily.

While Lens has struggled to find the net consistently, Strasbourg has shown resilience at the back, and especially at home. Given that Lens comes from a goalless draw and Strasbourg kept a clean sheet in their last outing, the likelihood of both teams NOT scoring is very high.

Given the fact that all of the last six matches by Lens have gone under 2.5 goals, and considering how tight Strasbourg will park the bus in defense, this will probably be a low-scoring match. Under 2.5 goals.

• 3 Way Total Under 3 Goals @ 2.044 Odds
• Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.97 Odds
• Draw @ 3.30 Odds