The Ligue 1 Matchday 18 clash between Lens and AJ Auxerre will take place on 17 January at the Bollaert-Delelis Stadium. Lens vs AJ Auxerre: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Lens
The team produced an excellent first outing of the new year, thrashing Toulouse away from home 3:0. It was already their fourth big win in the current league campaign. It is also worth highlighting the current winning run enjoyed by Pierre Sage’s men, which now stands at seven matches in Ligue 1. Notably, over this spell the club have managed to keep four clean sheets. In addition, Lens have equalled their record for consecutive victories. The team continue to lead the league, while their advantage over PSG still stands at just one point.
- The club have scored at least two goals in six of their previous seven Ligue 1 matches.
- Three or more goals have been scored in eight of Lens’s last 11 league games.
- On home soil, the team are on a six-match winning run in Ligue 1.
Potential Lens Lineup (3-4-2-1)*
Robin Risser – Malang Sarr, Samson Baidoo, Pierre Ganiou – Matthieu Udol, Adrien Thomasson, Andrija Bulatovic, Saud Abdulhamid – Wesley Said, Florian Thauvin – Odsonne Edouard.
Defenders Jonathan Gradit and Jhoanner Chavez are unavailable through injury.
AJ Auxerre
Christophe Pelissier’s men were also on the road last time out and suffered a 2:0 defeat to Brest. The team’s current form is frankly poor: in their previous 12 league matches, they have managed only one win (three draws and eight defeats), which came against another relegation struggler, Metz (3:1). The team sit 17th and are already four points adrift of the safe 15th spot. It is also worth noting that the club have the worst scoring record in the league, with just 14 goals.
- No more than two goals have been scored in five of the team’s previous seven Ligue 1 matches.
- At least one of the sides failed to score in five of AJ Auxerre’s last seven away league games.
- The club are on a nine-match winless run away from home in Ligue 1 (two draws and seven defeats).
Potential AJ Auxerre Lineup (4-3-3)*
Donovan Leon – Marvin Senaya, Gideon Mensah, Sinaly Diomande, Lamine Sy – Keven Danua, Elisha Owusu, Rabby Matondo – Sekou Mara, Josue Casimir, Ibrahim Osman.
Defender Gideon Mensah and midfielder Elisha Owusu are unavailable due to suspension. Defender Francisco Sierralta will miss the game through injury.
Referee
Bastien Dechepy (France)
Matches – 8 (Ligue 1, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second cautions) – 30;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.8;
Red cards shown – 4;
Fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 75%.
Lens vs AJ Auxerre: Match Prediction
The hosts of the upcoming match have no intention of dropping points against one of the league’s strugglers. A slip-up could cost them top spot, so Lens will be fully focused on this game. We think the club will not only win, but also keep a clean sheet. Pierre Sage’s side have not dropped points at their ground for seven Ligue 1 matches.
Moreover, Lens have not conceded in their last three home league matches. In addition, the club concede an average of 0.5 goals per game in the league. As for AJ Auxerre, they have the worst away record in Ligue 1 and have collected just two points from eight matches. They have also scored only once in their last four away games.
Prediction: AJ Auxerre, under 0.5 goals
* For each team, the starting XI from their previous match in this competition is listed.