Lens vs Dijon - Open contest tipped to produce goals

Tolu Shotade

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Last updated: 16 Sep 2019

Tolu Shotade 16 Sep 2019

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Little to separate Dijon and Lens in relegation/promotion playoff first leg clash

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Dijon vs Lens clash in French Ligue 1 relegation/promotion playoff tipped to produce goals at both ends (Getty Images)

Lens vs Dijon Preview, Predictions & Betting Tips

Lens and Dijon are tipped to serve up an open contest in the first leg of their French Ligue 1 relegation/promotion playoff clash at the Stade Gaston Gerard. Both teams have struggled defensively and are predicted to produce BTTS while also expected to cancel each other out.

RC Lens Form & Team News

Lens' fifth place finish in Ligue 2 earned them a place in the playoffs. They are coming off a 2-1 extra-time victory at Troyes in their last outing with Arthur Gomis and Simon Banza getting the goals.

Philippe Montanier's men have also had defensive problems and are without a clean sheet in their last three matches. They have also been in good form lately having gone unbeaten in their last five matches.

Lens will be without goalkeeper Jean-Louis Leca who was shown a red card against Troyes. Jeremy Vachoux should continue in place of the 33-year-old while Gomis is set to start in attack having scored three goals in his last four matches.

Dijon FCO Form & Team News

Dijon are playing in the playoffs after ending the regular season 18th on the table. They claimed a 2-1 victory at home against Toulouse in their final fixture of the season with Naim Sliti and Julio Tavares getting the goals.

Les Rouges were plagued by defensive problems for much of the season and head into Thursday's clash with just one clean sheet in their last eight matches. Antoine Kombouare's men also have a good record in front of their fans and are unbeaten in their last four home matches.

Julio Tavares has scored two goals in his last three matches and is expected to start in attack on Thursday. Sliti could also be handed a start after coming off the bench to score the winner against Toulouse.

Antoine Kombouare's Dijon side have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight matches (Getty Images)

Lens vs Dijon Head to Head

Dijon have a 3-1 advantage in the head to head against Lens with four draws from eight previous matches. They have seen BTTS in five of the last six meetings while also playing out three draws in the last four clashes.

The most recent fixture between both teams was a Ligue 2 meeting during the 2015-16 season which ended 1-1.

Lens vs Dijon Match Up

Julio Tavares ended the season on a high for Dijon, scoring two goals in his final three matches. With Lens struggling defensively, the striker will be confident of getting on the score sheet on Thursday.

Dijon have also had problems at the other end of the pitch and could find things difficult against Gomis in attack for Lens. The striker has been in good form lately and is likely to find the net once again.

Lens vs Dijon Key Statistics

Lens have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 3 matches (all competitions).
Dijon and Lens have seen BTTS in 5 of their last 6 meetings (all competitions).
Dijon and Lens have drawn 3 of their last 4 meetings (all competitions).
Dijon have failed to keep a clean sheet in 7 of their last 8 matches (all competitions).

Verdict

Dijon and Lens have struggled defensively in recent matches with both teams boasting some quality in attack. BTTS is the tip here with Thursday's clash also predicted to end in a draw.

Best Bet: BTTS Yes @ 2.00 at bet365 - 3 Units

Value Bet: Draw @ 3.10 at bet365 - 2 Units

Correct Score Tip: 1-1 Draw @ 6.50 at bet365 - 1 Units