Auxerre vs Lens Preview
As the match Auxerre vs Lens preview is online, they are going to clash in the meetings at Stade de I’Abbe Deschamps in today meetings.
Christophe Pelissier’s side had a potential match go to waste as they had a 1-1 draw with Toulouse last weekend. But Les Sang er Or’s title dreams were shattered despite having a victory 3-0 win over Ajaccio. As PSG is on the top of the Ligue 1 table, Lionel Messi star player of the Club, leaves the club on the end of the June and moves to Saudi pro League.
On the clashing with the Toulouse who just could not have a goal at the stadium Municipal last weekend, Auxerre were set to prolong the Coupe de France in front of their own fans when Rayan Raveloson with edge of the field with 25 minutes gone.
After the half time, Zakaria Aboukhlal ensured that Toulouse’s goalless would not stretch to five games with Auxerre three points that would have their survival. Being in the 16th spot with 35 points to their name, Auxerre are two points above Nantes result against Angers to retain their ligue 1 tie competition. Pelissier side cannot leave anything to chance with an inferior goal difference to Nantes.
With Angers already consigned to the drop alongside Troyes and Ajaccio, Nantes will be firm favourites to get the job done at home against the league’s basement side, which only increases Auxerre’s need for a first win in six matches since they coincidentally overcame Les Canaris 2-1 on April 16.
Pelissier’s men have somewhat succeeded in fortifying the walls of the Stade de l’Abbe Deschamps – losing just one of their last seven at home, and even then Paris Saint-Germain only just scraped a 2-1 win – and Lens did not have their form on the road to thank for their recently-extinguished title charge.
Team News and Injury
Despite the disappointment of failing to confirm their survival last weekend, Auxerre sustained no fresh injury concerns and should only be without Achilles victim Elisha Owusu for their final game of the season, but M’Baye Niang was also dropped from the squad against Toulouse after missing training for unexplained reasons.
While Pelissier’s side will be assured of their safety with a win, a conservative 5-4-1 approach should be deployed from the first whistle, with Nuno Da Costa likely to lead the line in place of Niang.
Meanwhile, midfielder Birama Toure will wear the armband for the hosts for the 38th time this season – no other player in the division has captained their team in 100% of their games so far this season.
As for Lens, Haise should also be working with largely the same group of players from their success over Ajaccio last weekend, as Jimmy Cabot, Wuilker Farinez and Steven Fortes (all knee) watch on from the sidelines once more.
The match-winner in this fixture in January, Frankowski will return from a suspension this weekend and should take his rightful place out wide, in turn forcing Angelo Fulgini out of the team as Florian Sotoca returns to his favoured role in the final third.
With no possibility of moving higher up or lower down the table, Haise may be tempted to shuffle the pack with the likes of Jean Onana, Adam Buksa and Alexis Claude-Maurice, but a recognisable XI should take to the field from the off.
Auxerre vs Lens Head-to-Head stats
The last time these sides faced off, Lens ran out 1-0 winners over an Auxerre side that was reduced to 10 men. Lens’ recent history against Auxerre is strong overall, as they have lost just one of their past six games against them, back in July 2017.
Lens’ success this season means that they will return to the Champions League in the 2023-24 campaign. The last time they entered Europe’s biggest competition was way back in the 2002-03 season, when they exited at the group stage.
Auxerre can retain their Ligue 1 status this weekend even if they lose, but they will rely on Nantes failing to win if this is the case. Nantes are only two points behind them, and also have a significant advantage in terms of goal difference, having scored two more than Auxerre and conceded five fewer.
Lens are currently on a six-game winning streak, and have failed to win just one of their last 11 games. Most recently, they brushed aside Ajaccio 3-0.
No goalkeeper in Ligue 1 has kept more clean sheets than Lens’ Brice Samba, who has managed to produce 15 shutouts this season.
Auxerre vs Lens Prediction
Auxerre was being desperate the claim a point here, as they cannot afford to lose on their laurels if they want to retain Ligue 1 status.
Lens have been in top form in this season, even pushing the Paris Saint Germain for the title race. Adding to that, They have won their last six games in a row.
But Auxerre have not won any in their last six games, shows that Lens have more advantage in this game.
