Betting Preview: Lens v Monaco

RC Lens host AS Monaco in one of the anticipated clashes of the final week of Ligue 1 fixtures. Both teams are hoping to finish the season with European places. Monaco are in the pole position for an automatic Champions League qualification while Franck Haise’s side relied on two results.

Lens collected 17 points from the last 7

Lens’ 2022 was a mixed bag of an excellent start to a winless run, but they kept their best performance for the final weeks of the season. Despite Franck Haise not even making the shortlist for the coach of the year, Lens is gunning to compete for a European place.

They lost the race with just one point last season in their first campaign since promotion. And four wins in the row meant Lens is still in contention to finish in the top five this season.

But their fate relied on the results of Strasbourg and Nice. The former will travel to Champions League-hopefuls Marseille while Christopher Galtier’s Nice will be on the move to Reims. The two clubs are ahead of Lens by two points. Only one of the three teams will progress to Europe.

When and where to watch?

The match kicks off at 20:00 on Saturday 21st May 2022, and the entire match will be available on BT Sport 3.

Monaco looking for a tenth straight win

Before the PSG game, Monaco had a torrid time with the president planning to make another big change at the club that will include the sacking of Phillippe Clement, who only took over from Niko Kovac in January.

But Monaco played star-studded PSG off the park with a 3-0 win that started a special run that saw them climb from midtable mediocrity to an automatic Champions League place.

They also beat direct rivals Rennes and Nice for the Champions League qualification. Last week, they climbed to 2nd place for the first time with Aurelien Tchouameni’s two long-range drives helping them beat champions Lille away from home while Marseille lost to Rennes.

Third meeting of the season

In the Ligue 1, Monaco lost at home to Lens with two red cards in the game. And, a few months later, Lens were eliminated from the Coupe de France by Monaco in an entertaining encounter that had six goals.

RC Lens & AS Monaco Team News

Experienced midfielder Gael Kakuta is struggling with a hamstring injury. Jean-Louis Leca is back from a two-game suspension, but he’s also a doubt with a fractured finger.

Krepin Diatta and Cesc Fabregas, who will leave the club in the summer, are the only absentees for Monaco.

Two in-form clubs for one last hurray?

Both clubs are hoping to stretch their winning streak in the final game of the season. Monaco can secure a group stage qualification to the Champions League with three points. A defeat could see them completely miss out if Marseille and Rennes win their respective games. Lens has a slender chance to qualify for Europe with one of the spots already reserved for Coupe de France champions Nantes.

Draw31/10 (4.10) 888SportHalf-time result – Draw6/4 (2.50) 888SportBoth teams to score11/20 (1.55)888Sport

Author: Annette May