• Home
  • Football
timer

This preview has expired.

See all our latest betting tips or suggested betting sites

Lens vs Nantes Live Stream & Tips – Blood & Gold Backed to Win in Ligue 1

vedran-ostojic
Editor
Last updated: Wed 06 May 2026 21:28
Lens welcome Nantes in an important Ligue 1 clash, with Lens maintaining the league's strongest home record (15 wins in 16 games). Although Nantes have improved their attack since Vahid Halilhodzic's appointment, their away form remains poor, and they are at risk of relegation. A Lens win and both teams scoring is recommended as a value bet. Allan Saint-Maximin’s recent goal-scoring form makes him a strong candidate to find the net again. Predicted lineups and betting tips highlight Lens as the clear favorite.
Vedran Ostojic 06 May 2026
Share this article
Or copy link
  • Nantes struggle on the road throughout the entire season
  • We are backing Lens to win with BTTS on Friday
  • Watch Lens vs Nantes live in Ligue 1
Expired
Watch Lens vs Nantes Live (Getty Images)

Nantes have found scoring consistency under recently appointed manager Vahid Halihodzic but still remain one of the weakest teams in Ligue 1 this season. I am backing Lens to collect three points on Friday. 

Key Stats  


  • Lens have won 15 of their last 16 home matches. 
  • Lens have won 4 of their last 5 matches against Nantes. 
  • Lens have seen BTTS in 6 of their last 7 matches. 
  • Lens’ Allan Saint-Maximin has scored 3 goals in his last 3 matches. 
  • Nantes have lost 5 of their last 7 away matches. 
  • Nantes have scored 4 goals in their last 2 matches. 

This Will be Their 97th H2H 


Lens hold a 46-25 advantage against Nantes in head to head matches, 25 games ending without a winner. 

Blood & Gold Strong at Home 


Lens were the only team to properly challenge PSG in the Ligue 1 title race this season but ran out of steam in the last few weeks, sitting in 2nd place with a six-point deficit from the Saints with three rounds left. 

They were down 3-0 at half-time of their April closing match at Brest, but pulled a comeback later to claim a point (3-3 FT). Their back line did a poor job here, finishing the match with 2.76-0.25 xG and 7-3 shots on target. 

Another road draw was registered last weekend at Nice 1-1, once again failing to capitalize on higher xG 1.53-1.06 and more shots 16-9. 

Lens are the strongest hosts in Ligue 1, collecting 39 out of possible 45 points this season. 

Visitors Likely Dropping Down to Ligue 2 


Even though they delivered an outstanding performance against Marseille last weekend (won 3-0), Nantes’ chances to avoid relegation are minimal after collecting just 23 points in 32 rounds. 

In that mentioned victory, Vahid Halihodzic’s side had 3.42-1.35 xG and 5-2 in goal opportunities, netting all three goals between 50th and 58th minute. Igniatius Ganogo and Matthis Abline registered one goal and one assist each. 

Games on the road remain a big problem for Nantes, losing their last two trips to Paris SG 3-0 and most recently Rennes 2-1. 

Team News & Predicted Lineups 


Lens (3-4-2-1) Robin Risser; Ismaelo Ganiou, Samson Baidoo, Malang Sarr; Ruben Aguilar, Nemanja Bulatovic, Massadio Haidara, Matthieu Udol; Florian Thauvin, Allan Saint-Maximin; Odsonne Edouard

Regis Gurtner and Jonathan Gradit are ruled out, while the home side also have to navigate the absences of suspended trio Saud Abdulhamid, Adrien Thomasson, and Mamadou Sangare.

Nantes (4-2-3-1) Patrik Carlgren; Frederic Guilbert, Chidozie Awaziem, Nicolas Cozza, Zaidu Youssef; Johann Lepenant, Ibrahima Sissoko; Mohamed Kaba, Matthis Abline, Remy Cabella; Ignatius Ganago

Nantes have their own concerns as Kelvin Amian and Deiver Machado deal with knocks, joining long-term absentee Fabien Centonze on the sidelines.

Verdict

Nantes struggled on the road throughout the season so I don’t see them snatching a point or three against the strongest hosts in Ligue 1. A home win & BTTS is a value bet here.

Former Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin finally found good form in Lens, registering three goals and one assist in his last four games. I like his chances to find the net on Friday. 

Best Bet1: Lens Win & BTTS Yes Result/Both To Score @9/5 at Hollywood bets - 2 Units
Best Bet2: Allan Saint-Maximin Anytime Goalscorer @6/4 at bet365 - 1 Unit
Best Bet3: Allan Saint-Maximin First Goalscorer @9/2 at Star Sports - 1 Unit
Lens Win & BTTS Yes
Result/Both To Score
@9/5 - 2 Units
£30 Free Bet
Use promo code NEWBONUS

Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Hollywood bets
Allan Saint-Maximin
Anytime Goalscorer
@6/4 - 1 Unit
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad

Bet at bet365
Allan Saint-Maximin
First Goalscorer
@9/2 - 1 Unit
Bet £20 Get £10
Use promo code NEWBONUS

18+ New customers only. Bet £20 (or more) EVS (2.0) or greater Get 2 x £5 Free Bets. 1 x £5 Free Bet paid automatically & following £5 Free Bet after 24hrs. Min Free Bet odds 4/1 (5.0) on accumulators Trebles & upwards. Expires after 24hrs. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org

Bet at Star Sports

Top Betting Sites

special-offer-1Betting offers

Upcoming Events

08 May 2026

Lens v Nantes

Hear more from Freetips.com