When Paris Saint-Germain visits Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Saturday to play in front of the fervent Lens supporters, they will try to increase their 12-point advantage at the top of Ligue 1.
Last season, Sang et Or defeated PSG for the first time in 14 years, but the circumstances leading up to this match are very different. When COVID struck seven first-team stars 15 months ago, Thomas Tuchel’s young lineup could only muster one shot on goal in a 1-0 away loss.
Due to an ankle injury, Neymar will be out again on Saturday, but Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Angel Di Maria are all anticipated to travel.
PSG should anticipate pressure from Lens!
PSG has lost five points while travelling this season, including a 2-0 loss to Rennes, who forced them into submission, and a 0-0 tie with Marseille, which they clung to for 33 minutes while playing with ten men.
PSG struggles under press, as Manchester City recently demonstrated, and Lens are among the best in Ligue 1 at doing it. This moves us away from the favourite odds for Mauricio Pochettino’s team to win and directs us to a more secure bet: over 2.5 goals.
In each of Lens’ last six games and PSG’s last four away matches, there have been at least three goals scored. While Lens averages more than two goals per game at home, Pochettino’s team has scored at least twice on the road in 75% of those contests.
1X2 Betting Odds
Although we’re betting on a win for PSG, there’s a case to be made for Lens if their pressing strategy proves successful! But even after that it’s a long shot given the quality of PSG!
And the betting market agrees!
Playing versus PSG is the toughest game on the calendar if you are team from Ligue 1. Lens will play in front of their home side, but their odds of winning against the club from Paris stands @ 3.35.
PSG will have World Cup winner Lionel Messi back in the squad, and their odds of winning here are @ 2.24, making them the favourites.
The possibility of a stalemate and Lens getting anything out of this, stands @ 3.84.
Total goals over/under
The odds that the total number of goals scored will be over 2.5, stands @ 1.76.
While the odds that the total number of goals will be under 2.5, stands @ 2.25.
The over/under odds paint a picture of an open game, and that’s what it very well could be given the fact that PSG are playing in it!
Now with a high-spirited Messi back in the mix, expect a few goals in this game with PSG planting the victory flag at the end of it!
