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Lens, Rennes Trying to Find Footing

Struggling Top-Half Sides Meet to Kick Off Second Half of Ligue 1 Season

Both Lens and Rennes will be looking to end two-game skids when they meet in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

Lens has dropped out of the top three but Rennes is still within striking distance with half of the season remaining.

Toss-Up in Ligue 1 Matchup Between Lens and Rennes 2022
FRANCOIS LO PRESTI / AFP

The latest soccer odds imply that this should be a very close game as it’s listed as a pick ‘em. Rennes have slightly better odds to win, at +160 to +180 for Lens.

  • Game: RC Lens vs Stade Rennais F.C.
  • Location: Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens, France
  • Date/Time: Saturday, 3 p.m. ET
Team Goal Line Moneyline Over/Under Team Total
Lens pk (-105) +180 2½ (-120o) 1½ +145o/-175u
Rennes pk (-125) +160 2½ (-110u) 1½ +130o/-160u
Draw +235

Lens vs Rennes Betting Preview

Head to Head

Lens drew with Rennes 1-1 in Matchweek 1. Seko Fofana scored for visiting Lens while Kamaldeen Sulemana got on the scoresheet for Rennes.

Since Lens was promoted back to Ligue 1 in 2020, they’re undefeated vs Rennes with a 1-0-2 record. However, Lens has only won one of their last 16 matches vs Rennes.

Lens Struggling to Keep Pace

Since a great start to the season, RC Lens has tumbled in the Ligue 1 table. Lens failed to win any of its last six Ligue 1 matches and is in ninth place with half of the season to go

Lens spent most of the season in the top four but they’ve been one of the worst Ligue 1 soccer picks as of late. Thankfully for Lens, captain and star midfielder Seko Fofana wasn’t called up to the Ivory Coast National Team for the African Cup of Nations and will be available for selection.

Gael Kakuta’s Democratic Republic of the Congo missed out on qualification, so only Cameroonian forward Ignatius Ganago will miss the month of January.

Even with a poor run of form, Lens has only lost one match at home in nine Ligue 1 games. On-loan PSG striker Arnaud Kalimuendo has led the way with six goals while defender Jonathan Clauss has two goals and seven assists.

Rennes Fighting for Champions League Place

Stade Rennais have lost three of their last four Ligue 1 matches by a 2-1 scoreline. Just before the holiday break, Rennes led 1-0 vs Monaco but blew the lead and dropped all three points.

Rennes was awarded a 3-0 win over Tottenham in the UEFA Conference League to finish in first place in their group. Tottenham was forced to close up shop for a few days following a COVID outbreak and its December game vs Rennes could not be rescheduled.

Les Rennais will await the results of the knockout stage playoffs and are through to the round of 16. They were just knocked out of the Coupe de France by Ligue 2 Nancy on penalties and have been a very inconsistent pick for betting online.

Despite the inconsistency, Rennes is still in the thick of a battle for a Champions League place. They’re just two points behind third-place Marseille and Gaetan Laborde has proven to be a great signing. He leads Rennes with 10 goal contributions.

Prediction

Lens and Rennes have drawn in two consecutive meetings with just one goal per game. Two or fewer goals have been scored in the last eight meetings and I expect more of the same.

Take under 2½ goals in the BetUS sportsbook at -110 odds.

Pick: Under 2½ goals (-110)

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