Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Lens are trying to fend off Olympique Lyonnais, as well as hoping they lose the cup final, in order to secure European qualification for themselves once again.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 19th May, 2024 - UK – 20:00 / US EST – 15:00 / US PST – 13:00
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: This match will be televised live on TNT Sports in the UK. / This match will be televised live on beIN Sports in the US.
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: This match will be able to be streamed live via the TNT Sports app in the UK. / This match will be streamed live via Fanatiz in the US.
LENS PREVIEW: IN A BATTLE
In the summer, Lens lost several key players including captain Seko Fofana and key striker Lois Openda. Lens, as a result, spent the first couple of months in a difficult patch as they languished down at the bottom end of the table but the northerners eventually steadied themselves and propelled themselves into the top-half of the table.
However, still coached by Franck Haise, they have once again been relatively underwhelming in recent weeks. They remain in the top six ahead of this final match day and can secure a European spot if they stay there, above Lyon, but it will be out of their hands as Lyon will snatch that final European place if they eventually win the Coupe de France.
MONTPELLIER PREVIEW: SAFE AND SOUND
In what has been a competitive relegation battle down at the bottom end of the Ligue 1 table, Montpellier Herault have been one of the leading candidates to struggle throughout with the league being reduced from 20 to 18 teams. They sit firmly in the middle-of-the-table ahead of the final match day of the campaign.
The visitors do, though, come into this one on the back of a 2-0 loss at home to Monaco in their most recent outing, last weekend, with Kassoum Ouattara and Youssouf Fofana notching second-half goals for the principality club. That defeat ended what had been a six-match unbeaten run of form for Montpellier.
LENS TEAM NEWS: SEVERAL INJURY ISSUES FOR LENS
Former Southampton loanee Kevin Danso will be unavailable for this weekend’s clash against Montpellier Herault. The defender is sidelined alongside the likes of both Neil El Aynaoui and Jhoanner Chavez.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Samba; Gradit, Khusanov, Medina; Frankowski, Mendy, Costa, Machado; Sotoca, Fulgini; Said
UNAVAILABLE: Danso (Injured), El Aynaoui (Injured), Chavez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
MONTPELLIER TEAM NEWS: SAVANIER SUSPENDED
Goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte remains unavailable for this weekend due to injury alongside defender Kiki Kouyate. As well as those absentees, attacker Teji Savanier is missing through suspension.
PREDICTED XI (5-3-2): Bertaud; Hefti, Omeragic, Jullien, Sainte-Luce, Sylla; Leroy, Chotard, Sagnan; Al-Taamari, Adams
UNAVAILABLE: Savanier (Suspended), Kouyate (Injured), Lecomte (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
LENS VS MONTPELLIER PREDICTION
Lens can win this weekend and guarantee European football but they won’t know whether it is to be UEFA Europa League or UEFA Europa Conference League football until next weekend’s Coupe de France final. They have majorly improved but have stumbled to the finish line, whereas Montpellier and playing with a freedom associated with and expected of mid-table obscurity. Lens feeling the pressure and knowing it is not entirely in their hands where they end up may well cause something of a surprise this weekend.
LENS VS MONTPELLIER TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – MONTPELLIER TO WIN OR DRAW