Lens vs Le Havre Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, Friday, 30 January

Lens will host Le Havre in an intriguing Ligue 1 clash at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Friday, 30 January. This match holds significant importance as both sides aim to strengthen their league positions. Lens, with the advantage of playing at home, will look to make the most of their familiarity with the venue to secure a vital win. Meanwhile, Le Havre are eager to prove themselves against a formidable opponent.

The significance of this match goes beyond the points at stake. For Lens, a victory could consolidate their position near the top of Ligue 1, while Le Havre will be keen to climb the table and make a statement. With both teams focused on success, this encounter promises to deliver an engaging contest for fans and punters alike. As we explore the prediction, match preview, and betting tips, the dynamics of this fixture will be crucial in shaping the outcome.

Lens vs Le Havre Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
Lens -2.50 (Asian Handicap)	3.95

Given Lens’s dominant home form and Le Havre’s struggles away, our recommended betting tip is Lens -2.5. Lens’s ability to press high, control possession, and create numerous chances makes them strong favourites to secure a comprehensive victory.

• Lens have demonstrated strong attacking efficiency and quick transitions, often overwhelming weaker defences.
• Le Havre’s defensive frailties, especially against high-pressing teams, have been evident throughout the season.
• Lens’s home advantage and crowd support can significantly boost their performance and momentum.

If Lens maintain their intensity and take their chances, a three-goal margin or more is likely.

Betting Odds

Lens are clear favourites in this Ligue 1 clash, with the odds firmly in their favour at 1.41. Le Havre, meanwhile, are seen as underdogs with odds of 7.22, making them a tempting option for those seeking an upset.

Betting Tip	Odds
Lens to win	1.41
Draw	4.72
Le Havre to win	7.22

The draw is priced at 4.72, suggesting that while Lens are expected to dominate, a stalemate is still possible. For punters, the odds on a Lens victory may not offer much value, but exploring handicap markets or over/under goals could provide more lucrative opportunities.

Lens Analysis & Past Performance

Lens have displayed impressive form in recent matches, securing four wins from their last five outings, including a notable 3-0 win over Toulouse and a 1-0 victory against Auxerre. However, their recent 3-1 defeat to Marseille exposed occasional defensive vulnerabilities.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Marseille	Lens	3 – 1 (Loss)	Ligue 1	24 Jan, 2026
Lens	Auxerre	1 – 0 (Win)	Ligue 1	17 Jan, 2026
Sochaux	Lens	0 – 3 (Win)	Coupe de France	11 Jan, 2026
Toulouse	Lens	0 – 3 (Win)	Ligue 1	2 Jan, 2026
Lens	Feignies Aulnoye	3 – 1 (Win)	Coupe de France	19 Dec, 2025

Recent Form:
Lens have been effective in attack, averaging 2.20 goals per game over their last five matches. Defensively, they’ve kept three clean sheets in that period, conceding an average of just 0.80 goals per match. At home, Lens are particularly formidable, winning all of their last five home fixtures, reflected in a perfect home win ratio of 1.00.

Currently, Lens sit second in Ligue 1 with 43 points, demonstrating a strong season with a win ratio of 0.80 across their last ten games. Key player Wesley Saïd has been instrumental, contributing significantly with eight goals this season, making him a crucial figure in their attacking strategy.

• LWWWW

Lens Suspensions & Injuries

Lens are dealing with several key absences due to injury. The loss of Jonathan Gradit, sidelined with a broken leg until late April, is a significant blow to their defensive stability, forcing the team to rely heavily on Malang Sarr and Matthieu Udol. Additionally, Jhoanner Chavez and Amadou Haidara, both expected back in early February, leave a gap in midfield, potentially affecting transitions. Samson Baidoo’s hamstring injury further strains the squad, demanding tactical adjustments from coach Pierre Sage.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Jonathan Gradit	Broken leg	Late April 2026
Jhoanner Chavez	Thigh injury	Early February 2026
Amadou Haidara	Shoulder injury	Early February 2026
Regis Gurtner	Muscle injury	Out for season
Samson Baidoo	Hamstring injury	Early February 2026

The suspension of Morgan Guilavogui for accumulated yellow cards adds further complexity to Lens’s tactical planning. With Guilavogui missing, there will be increased pressure on Wesley Saïd and Odsonne Édouard to lead the attack effectively. This suspension could necessitate a more conservative approach from Lens to maintain balance across the pitch.

Player	Suspension	Matches Remaining	Expected Return
Morgan Guilavogui	Yellow cards	1	Unknown

Overall, these absences could impact Lens’s performance against Le Havre and may influence betting markets as they adjust to these significant losses. With a depleted squad, Lens may adopt a more cautious strategy, focusing on defensive solidity and capitalising on counter-attacks.

Lens Key Players

Wesley Saïd stands out as Lens’s top scorer, having netted 8 goals this season. His ability to exploit space and his clinical finishing make him a constant threat to any defence. Saïd’s prowess in front of goal gives Lens a significant attacking edge, especially when he links up with Odsonne Édouard, who is expected to lead the line. Édouard’s physicality and hold-up play can create opportunities for Saïd and others, adding depth to Lens’s attacking play.

Mamadou Sangaré and Adrien Thomasson are pivotal in midfield, orchestrating play. Sangaré’s energy and Thomasson’s vision ensure a steady supply of chances for the attackers, while their defensive contributions help maintain balance. In defence, Malang Sarr’s role is crucial; his ability to read the game and make key interceptions could be vital in thwarting Le Havre’s advances.

Expected lineup for Lens

• Goalkeeper: Robin Risser
• Defence: Pierre Ganiou, Malang Sarr, Matthieu Udol
• Midfield: Saud Abdulhamid, Adrien Thomasson, Mamadou Sangaré, Ruben Aguilar, Florian Thauvin, Wesley Saïd
• Forward: Odsonne Édouard

Lens Tactics and Formation

Lens Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-4-2-1
• Key Forward: Odsonne Édouard
• Midfield Core: Adrien Thomasson and Mamadou Sangaré
• Defensive Record: Three clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Wing-back utilisation and high press.

Lens employ a 3-4-2-1 formation, providing a strategic balance between attack and defence. With Odsonne Édouard leading the line, the team relies on his finishing ability and physical presence. The midfield, anchored by Adrien Thomasson and Mamadou Sangaré, is pivotal in transitioning play from defence to attack, often using quick, incisive passes.

Defensively, the back three of Pierre Ganiou, Malang Sarr, and Matthieu Udol have been instrumental in maintaining solidity, contributing to three clean sheets in their last five matches. This setup allows Lens to absorb pressure effectively while maintaining a compact shape.

Offensively, Lens focus on utilising their wing-backs, Saud Abdulhamid and Ruben Aguilar, to stretch the opposition and create width. Their high press is particularly effective in disrupting the opposition’s build-up play, often leading to quick transitions and goal-scoring opportunities.

Le Havre Analysis & Past Performance

Le Havre’s recent form has been inconsistent, with only one win in their last five fixtures—a narrow 2-1 victory over Angers. Their performance analysis indicates a struggle for consistency, reflected in a win ratio of 20% during this period. Recent results include draws against Monaco (0-0) and Rennes (1-1), alongside losses to Amiens (0-2) and Lyon (0-1).

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Le Havre	Monaco	0 – 0 (Draw)	Ligue 1	24 Jan 2026
Rennes	Le Havre	1 – 1 (Draw)	Ligue 1	18 Jan 2026
Le Havre	Angers	2 – 1 (Win)	Ligue 1	4 Jan 2026
Le Havre	Amiens	0 – 2 (Loss)	French Cup	21 Dec 2025
Lyon	Le Havre	1 – 0 (Loss)	Ligue 1	14 Dec 2025

Recent Form:

• DDWLL

Le Havre have averaged 0.60 goals scored per game and conceded 1.00 goals on average in their last five matches. The team’s offensive statistics show they have managed to score in just two of these games, while defensively, they’ve kept only one clean sheet. Away from home, their performances have been underwhelming, with a win ratio of just 20% and a lack of scoring prowess, evidenced by their average of 0.40 goals per game over the last ten matches. Their defensive solidity is questionable, having conceded in seven of their last ten outings. Currently positioned 15th in the league, Le Havre need to address their goal-scoring deficiencies to improve their standing.

Le Havre Suspensions & Injuries

Le Havre are also dealing with several key absences due to injury. Notably, Mohamed Bayo’s absence with a sprained ankle until late May 2024 leaves a considerable gap in their attacking options. Abdoulaye Touré and Reda Khadra, both expected back in early February 2026, add to the midfield woes, potentially affecting the team’s ability to control the game. Gautier Lloris’s doubtful status due to a hamstring injury could hinder defensive solidity, requiring tactical adjustments from coach Didier Digard.

The injury list will likely prompt Digard to rely on his current starting lineup, which includes influential players like Mbwana Samatta and Kenny Quetant up front. Lucas Gourna-Douath and Rassoul Ndiaye’s presence in midfield becomes even more critical to mitigate the absence of Touré and Khadra. Defensively, Ayumu Seko and Arouna Sangante will need to step up in Lloris’s absence, ensuring the backline remains resilient.

Given these injuries, Le Havre may adopt a more conservative approach, focusing on maintaining defensive structure and exploiting counter-attacking opportunities. This could impact their betting odds, with a full-strength Lens side likely seen as favourites, especially at home.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Mohamed Bayo	Sprained ankle	Late May 2024
Abdoulaye Touré	Knee injury	Early February 2026
Reda Khadra	Shoulder injury	Early February 2026
Gautier Lloris	Hamstring Injury	Doubtful

Le Havre Key Players

Le Havre’s attacking hopes will rest heavily on Issa Soumaré, the team’s top scorer with 3 goals this season. As a forward, Soumaré’s ability to exploit defensive gaps and his knack for finding the net will be vital against Lens. His dynamic movement and finishing make him a constant threat in the final third, and his performance could be pivotal in this Ligue 1 clash.

In midfield, Lucas Gourna-Douath stands out with his ability to control the tempo of the game. His vision and passing range offer Le Havre a tactical advantage, facilitating transitions from defence to attack. Defensively, Arouna Sangante’s presence is crucial; his strong tackling and aerial dominance provide stability at the back. These players form the spine of the team, whose cohesive play will be essential for Le Havre’s tactical approach.

Expected lineup for Le Havre:

• Goalkeeper: Lionel Mpasi-Nzau
• Defenders: Loïc Négo, Ayumu Seko, Arouna Sangante, Yanis Zouaoui
• Midfielders: Simon Ebonog, Lucas Gourna-Douath, Rassoul Ndiaye, Felix Mambimbi
• Forwards: Kenny Quetant, Mbwana Samatta

Le Havre Tactics and Formation

Le Havre Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-3-1-2
• Key Forward: Mbwana Samatta
• Midfield Engine: Lucas Gourna-Douath
• Defensive Solidity: Two clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Compact defensive shape with quick transitions.

Le Havre operate with a 4-3-1-2 formation, providing a robust defensive structure and flexibility in attack. In midfield, Lucas Gourna-Douath plays a pivotal role, offering both defensive cover and creative outlets, supported by Simon Ebonog and Rassoul Ndiaye. Felix Mambimbi, in the attacking midfield role, is crucial for linking play with forwards Kenny Quetant and Mbwana Samatta.

Defensively, the team rely on a compact backline featuring Loïc Négo and Yanis Zouaoui as full-backs, with Ayumu Seko and Arouna Sangante as central defenders. This setup has contributed to two clean sheets in their last five matches, demonstrating their defensive resilience.

Offensively, Le Havre’s strategy is often centred around quick transitions and exploiting spaces behind the opposition’s defence. Despite a goalless draw against Monaco recently, their tactical discipline and ability to maintain a compact shape have been key to their performances.

Lens vs Le Havre H2H Record

The head-to-head record between Lens and Le Havre is perfectly balanced, with both sides securing 9 wins each and 10 draws in 28 encounters. Their last meeting saw Lens edge a 2-1 victory away at Le Havre in Ligue 1, demonstrating their ability to perform on the road.

In their most recent Ligue 1 clash at Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Le Havre managed to snatch a thrilling 4-3 win over Lens. This suggests that Le Havre can be a handful even when playing away, making this upcoming fixture an intriguing one for punters.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Le Havre	Lens	1 – 2	Ligue 1	2025-08-24
Lens	Le Havre	3 – 4	Ligue 1	2025-03-01
Le Havre	Lens	1 – 2	Ligue 1	2025-01-12
Lens	Le Havre	1 – 1	Ligue 1	2024-04-06
Le Havre	Lens	0 – 0	Ligue 1	2023-10-20