Lens – Auxerre
Lens have a couple of problem positions ahead of this game – right back and central midfield. Fradj and Landre are both injured so the promising youngster Dimitri Caravate will likely start on the right hand side of defence. In midfield, Valdivia is injured and will likely be replaced by youngster Cyprien or Gmabin. Lens are obviously going to be weakened in these spots because the projected starters are both raw and inexperienced. Better news for Les Sang et Or is that they welcome back Yoann Touzghar to the attack and he’s a candidate to start if fit enough. Auxerre miss striker Julien Viale to injury, but he’s not really been very effective for them so far this season and I don’t think he’ll be much of a loss. New signing Lynel Kitambala takes his place in the squad and will likely start. Elsewhere, Marco Ramos is injured, so Karim Djellabi will replace him at left back.
Lens are definitely the better team here and I think they’ll win, its just those couple of problem areas which aren’t ideal for them. I don’t think central midfield is going to be such a problem because Auxerre aren’t that strong there, but their left winger Georges N’tep could really take advantage of Lens’ right back situation. N’tep has been in great form recently and nearly all of Auxerre’s threat will likely come from him. I don’t like AJA’s 4-4-2 formation though, it just doesn’t seem to suit their players very much. Lens should be able to create plenty of chances here with their excellent attack force and I can see them scoring at least twice. This match is going to kick off at 2pm local time, but the forecast isn’t for particularly hot weather so fitness and fatigue shouldn’t be as much of an issue. Auxerre are just a mediocre team and this is the sort of match Lens should end up winning routinely this season. I think 1.75 is a fair price on the hosts, but a massive 2.0 is offered by the bookies. This has to be taken in my opinion and I have no hesitation in backing Lens here.
Prediction: Lens 3-0 Auxerre
Recommended bet: Lens -0.5 @ 2.0 5/10
Meatmansoccer 