Match Overview

The 7th-round fixture between Auxerre and Lens is scheduled for October 4th at the Stade Abbé-Deschamps. This detailed preview covers our predictions, betting odds, and key statistics for the Auxerre vs Lens encounter.

Auxerre Team Analysis

Current Form and Standings

Auxerre is currently facing significant challenges in the early stages of the season. Their recent away defeat to PSG was an anticipated outcome, yet it marked their fourth loss in the last five league matches. Christophe Pélissier’s squad has accumulated a mere 6 points, placing them 14th in the table, just one point clear of the relegation zone. A notable concern is their lackluster offensive output: Auxerre has netted only 4 goals in 6 Ligue 1 games, with only Angers scoring less (3). 

Auxerre Key Statistics

• The club has conceded goals in 7 of their last 9 league fixtures.
• Auxerre’s matches in this tournament have seen decisive outcomes in their last 7 games (2 wins, 5 losses), with no draws.
• The team has failed to score more than one goal in their last 9 matches.

Auxerre Predicted Lineup (5-4-1)*

Potential Starting XI

Donovan Léon – Clément Akpa, Gideon Mensah, Telly Sarr, Francisco Sierralta, Marvin Senaya – Josué Casimir, Elisha Owusu, Kévin Danois, Danny Loader – Lassine Sinayoko. 

Team News: Auxerre

Defender Fredrik Oppegård has completed his suspension.

Lens Team Analysis

Current Form and Standings

Mirroring their performance in the previous campaign, Lens is once again displaying strong results, though they currently remain outside the top tier of contenders. Lens has secured victories in exactly half of their 6 league matches, accumulating 10 points. This places them 7th in the standings. Last weekend, Pierre Sage’s side managed to hold Rennes to a goalless draw, a commendable feat considering they played with ten men from the very first minute. This result ended their 6-match run in Ligue 1 without a draw (4 wins, 2 losses). 

Lens Key Statistics

• At least one team has failed to score in 5 of Lens’ last 7 league encounters.
• This season, Lens has conceded only 5 goals, a defensive record surpassed only by PSG (4) and Lyon (3).
• A minimum of 2 goals has been scored in 10 of the team’s last 12 matches in the French Championship.

Lens Predicted Lineup (3-4-3)*

Potential Starting XI

Robin Risser – Jonathan Gradit, Samson Baidoo, Malang Sarr – Ruben Aguilar, Adrien Thomasson, Mamadou Sangaré, Matthieu Udol – Florian Thauvin, Wesley Saïd, Odsonne Édouard. 

Team News: Lens

Key defender Jonathan Gradit is suspended, while another defensive player, Deiver Machado, is recovering from injury.

Match Official

François Letexier (France)

Referee Statistics

Matches officiated – 17 (, 2024/25–2025/26);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 57;

Average yellow cards per match – 3.3;

Red cards shown – 8;

Average fouls per match – 21;

Penalties awarded – 18%.

Auxerre vs Lens Match Prediction

Auxerre Home Form Analysis

Auxerre has had an uninspiring start to the season, yet at home, they remain a formidable opponent. All 6 points Christophe Pélissier’s men have collected this season have come on their home turf. Overall, the team has secured at least one point in 14 of their last 18 home league games (8 wins, 6 draws). In their rare defeats, Auxerre has lost by a single goal in 3 out of 4 instances. Even when considering away matches, the club has avoided a defeat by a margin of two goals or more in 7 of their last 10 fixtures. 

Lens Away Form Analysis

Lens, on the other hand, does not consistently achieve maximum results on the road. In the current league campaign, Pierre Sage’s squad has secured only one victory in three away matches, defeating Le Havre by a single goal. Generally, the team has failed to win by a margin of 2 goals or more in 9 of their last 10 away matches, dropping points in 6 of those 10 games (2 draws, 4 losses). 

Final Prediction

In my opinion, the hosts should offer significant resistance to Lens. The prediction is Auxerre with a (+1) handicap. 

Lineup Note

* The starting lineup listed for each team is based on their last match in this competition.