Lyon vs. Lens Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 4 May 2025 - bettingexpert

It’s almost time for a thrilling Ligue 1 clash as 5th place Lyon host 8th place Lens at Groupama Stadium on 4 May 2025. With Lyon still fighting for a Champions League spot, they have everything to play for in this crucial encounter.

Currently boasting 54 points, Lyon will be looking to extend their unbeaten home streak to five matches in the league. However, they’ll have to cope without their top scorer Alexandre Lacazette, who is suspended for this match. The weather forecast looks ideal for a gripping game of football, with referee Jeremy Stinat expected to keep things under control.

Lens, with 45 points, might not have as much at stake in this match in terms of European qualification, but they won’t be an easy opponent. Despite a mix of results recently, they will aim to spoil Lyon’s ambitions.

The bookmakers favour Lyon to win, and considering their recent home form and the motivation to secure a top-four finish, it’s a solid recommendation to bet on Lyon to take home the three points. Historically, Lyon has dominated this fixture at Groupama Stadium, winning 7 of their last 10 meetings against Lens.

Expect a fierce contest, but Lyon’s higher stakes and home advantage might just tip the scales in their favour.

Lyon vs Lens Prediction & Betting Tip

Lyon vs Lens Prediction
Betting tip	Odds
Lyon to Win	1.54

• Lyon have won 5 of their last 6 home games, showcasing their strength at Groupama Stadium.
• Lyon are highly motivated to secure a Champions League spot, given their 5th-place standing and 54 points.
• Lens have been inconsistent, with recent form showing two losses and three wins in their last five games.

Given these factors, betting on Lyon to win seems a solid choice.

Lyon vs Lens Odds

Lyon vs Lens Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Lyon	1.54
Draw	4.48
Lens	5.34

The odds favor Lyon, who have shown strong form at home, winning five of their last six games at Groupama Stadium. Currently sitting in 5th place, Lyon is motivated by their chase for a Champions League spot, while Lens, in 8th place, have little at stake.

Given Lyon’s higher stakes and historical success against Lens, betting on a home win looks promising.

Lyon Team Analysis

Lyon Recent Performance

Lyon has shown mixed form recently, winning two, drawing one, and losing two of their last five matches. Here’s a quick look at their latest results:

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Lyon	Rennes	2025-04-26	Ligue 1	4-1 (Win)
Saint-Etienne	Lyon	2025-04-20	Ligue 1	2-1 (Loss)
Manchester United	Lyon	2025-04-17	Europa League	3-2 (Loss, Extra Time)
Auxerre	Lyon	2025-04-13	Ligue 1	3-1 (Win)
Lyon	Manchester United	2025-04-10	Europa League	2-2 (Draw)

Despite slipping out of the Europa League, Lyon’s league form has been quite steady, especially at home. They have scored an impressive average of 2.8 goals per game in their last five fixtures but have failed to keep a clean sheet during the same period, highlighting a defensive vulnerability.
With a solid home performance, Lyon remains a strong competitor, bolstered by their offensive prowess and the motivation to secure a Champions League spot.

Lyon Key Players

Lyon’s key players for this match include their top scorer Alexandre Lacazette, though he is suspended for this fixture. In his absence, the burden of leadership and goal-scoring will likely fall to Thiago Almada and Georges Mikautadze. Lacazette’s 13 goals this season have been vital, but Mikautadze, who will be leading the attack, has shown promise. Defensive stability will come from Clinton Mata and Moussa Niakhate, while Nemanja Matic and Corentin Tolisso will control the midfield. Rayan Cherki’s creativity on the flank will also be crucial.

Expected lineup for Lyon:

• Goalkeeper: Lucas Perri
• Defenders: Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Clinton Mata, Moussa Niakhate, Nicolas Tagliafico
• Midfielders: Corentin Tolisso, Nemanja Matic, Rayan Cherki, Thiago Almada, Malick Fofana
• Forward: Georges Mikautadze

Lyon Suspensions & Injuries

Lyon will face significant challenges in their upcoming match due to key absences in their lineup. Firstly, their top scorer Alexandre Lacazette will be serving a suspension due to accumulated yellow cards. His absence will be a big blow to Lyon’s attacking prowess. Additionally, Ernest Nuamah is out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury, further straining their squad depth. Lyon’s suspensions and injuries are detailed below:

Player	Suspension	Expected return
Alexandre Lacazette	Yellow cards	Next week

Player	Injury	Expected return
Ernest Nuamah	Cruciate ligament injury	Out for season

These absences put more pressure on other players to step up, especially in attack, where Thiago Almada and Georges Mikautadze will need to deliver.

Lyon Tactics and Formation

Lyon Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Georges Mikautadze (replacing the suspended Alexandre Lacazette)
• Midfield Trio: Rayan Cherki (Right Wing), Thiago Almada (Attacking Midfielder), Malick Fofana (Left Wing)
• Defensive Setup: A line of four including Maitland-Niles, Mata, Niakhate, and Tagliafico
• Midfield Pivot: Nemanja Matic and Corentin Tolisso as defensive midfielders

With a robust 4-2-3-1 formation, Lyon will likely aim to press high and dominate midfield possession. Cherki and Fofana will be pivotal on the wings, providing width and driving crosses into Mikautadze. Matching their aggressive offense, Lyon must reinforce their defense to prevent conceding late goals, especially in the 76-90-minute interval where they are most vulnerable.

Lens Team Analysis

Lens Recent Performance

Lens have had a rollercoaster ride in their last five matches, resulting in a mixed bag of results. With a recent form of LWLWL, consistency has been an issue for Will Still’s squad. Their most noticeable pattern includes a stark contrast in their home and away performances. Lens only managed to find the net an average of 0.80 goals per game over the last five matches, cementing their struggle in front of the goal. Their sole clean sheet in these fixtures indicates some defensive resilience, but breakdowns are still a concern.

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Lens	Auxerre	2025-04-27	Ligue 1	0-4 (Loss)
Brest	Lens	2025-04-20	Ligue 1	1-3 (Win)
Lens	Reims	2025-04-11	Ligue 1	0-2 (Loss)
Lens	Saint-Etienne	2025-04-06	Ligue 1	1-0 (Win)
Lille	Lens	2025-03-30	Ligue 1	1-0 (Loss)

Lens’s inconsistency could be attributed to injuries and suspensions affecting their squad rotation. Their challenge will be to translate their sporadic good performances into a solid effort against a high-flying Lyon side.

Lens Key Players

Lens have several key players who could influence the outcome of the match against Lyon. Key among them is M’Bala Nzola, the team’s top scorer with 6 goals this season. His ability to convert chances will be critical if Lens are to create any goal-scoring opportunities against a solid Lyon backline. Goduine Koyalipou, expected to lead the attack, has a crucial role in penetrating Lyon’s defense, which averages 1.5 goals conceded per game. The midfield battle will also be significant, with Adrien Thomasson and Neil El Aynaoui providing creativity and stability.

Expected lineup for Lens:

• Goalkeeper: Mathew Ryan
• Defenders: Jonathan Gradit, Malang Sarr, Facundo Medina
• Midfielders: Tom Pouilly, Adrien Thomasson, Neil El Aynaoui, Deiver Machado
• Attackers: Anass Zaroury, Goduine Koyalipou, Andy Diouf

Lens Suspensions & Injuries

Lens have several key absentees that could impact their performance against Lyon.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Rémy Labeau Lascary	Cruciate ligament injury	Out for season
Jhoanner Chavez	Ankle injury	Mid May 2025
Denis Petric	Back injury	Mid May 2025
Ruben Aguilar	Hamstring Injury	Late May 2025

Player	Suspension	Expected return
Florian Sotoca	Red card	1 match

The absence of key players like Rémy Labeau Lascary and Jhoanner Chavez could weaken the defensive stability of Lens. Additionally, Florian Sotoca’s suspension leaves a gap in their attacking options. Coach Will Still will need to rely on his squad depth to compensate for these absentees and maintain their performance levels.

Lens Tactics and Formation

Lens’ Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-4-2-1
• Key Forward: Goduine Koyalipou
• Midfield Dynamics: Adrien Thomasson and Neil El Aynaoui providing central support, with Deiver Machado and Tom Pouilly operating wide
• Defensive Setup: Jonathan Gradit, Malang Sarr, and Facundo Medina forming the three-man backline
• Notable Strategy: Rely on wing play and employ quick transitions from defense to attack

Lens will miss key players Rémy Labeau Lascary and Jhoanner Chavez due to injuries, potentially weakening their defensive stability. Coach Will Still will need to make tactical adjustments and rely on squad depth to maintain competitive performance against Lyon.

Lyon vs Lens Head-to-Head Statistics

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Lens	Lyon	2024-09-15	Ligue 1	0-0 (Draw)
Lyon	Lens	2024-03-03	Ligue 1	0-3 (Loss)
Lens	Lyon	2023-12-02	Ligue 1	3-2 (Loss)
Lyon	Lens	2023-02-12	Ligue 1	2-1 (Win)
Lens	Lyon	2022-10-02	Ligue 1	1-0 (Loss)

In the last five meetings, Lyon has struggled against Lens, winning just one match while losing three and drawing one.

Their most recent encounter ended in a goalless draw, but historically, Lyon’s performance at home has been slightly better, with a vital win back in February 2023.

Odds accurate as of 05.02.2025 16:16, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.