Explore My Football Facts' detailed preview for Lens vs Nantes in the Ligue 1. Stats, odds, predictions, and lineups for the 19:45 BST match.
Fixture Information
| Fixture | Lens vs Nantes |
|---|---|
| Competition | Ligue 1 |
| Date | Friday, 08 May 2026 |
| Kick-off | 19:45 BST |
| Venue | Stade Bollaert-Delelis |
Match Prediction: Lens 1-1 Nantes
Prediction Stats
Fulltime Result Probability
Both Teams To Score Probability
Over/Under 2.5 Probability
Last 5 Meetings
| League | Date | Match | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ligue 1 | 06 Dec 2025 |  Nantes vs  Lens |
1 – 2 | Stade de la Beaujoire – Louis Fonteneau |
| Ligue 1 | 23 Feb 2025 | Nantes vs Lens |
3 – 1 | Stade de la Beaujoire – Louis Fonteneau |
| Ligue 1 | 09 Nov 2024 | Lens vs Nantes |
3 – 2 | Stade Bollaert-Delelis |
| Ligue 1 | 03 Feb 2024 | Nantes vs Lens |
0 – 1 | Stade de la Beaujoire – Louis Fonteneau |
| Ligue 1 | 28 Oct 2023 | Lens vs Nantes |
4 – 0 | Stade Bollaert-Delelis |
Lens come into this with a run of results that has been lively rather than controlled, and that should suit a game where both sides have shown they can be opened up. Nantes have had a mixed spell too, but their away results have been less convincing than their home win over Olympique Marseille, so the edge looks to sit with the hosts at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
Lens have scored in four of their last five league matches, while Nantes have also found the net in four of their last five, so goals at both ends look plausible. The head-to-head record also leans towards Lens, who have won three of the last five meetings, including the most recent one in December 2025. Match Prediction: Lens 2-1 Nantes
Form Guide & Team Overview
Lens
Lens have been involved in plenty of goals in their recent league matches, drawing 1-1 away to Nice and 3-3 away to Brest. Before that, they beat Toulouse 3-2 at home, lost 0-3 away to LOSC Lille, and beat Angers SCO 5-1 at home.
That gives them two wins, two draws and one defeat across the last five league games, with the home form looking stronger than the away form. The recent pattern suggests they are capable of scoring regularly, but they have also been conceding enough to keep things competitive.
Lens Last 5 Results
| League | Date | Match | Score | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ligue 1 | 2 May 2026 |  Nice vs Lens |
1 – 1 | D | Allianz Riviera |
| Ligue 1 | 24 Apr 2026 |  Brest vs Lens |
3 – 3 | D | Stade Francis-Le Ble |
| Ligue 1 | 17 Apr 2026 | Lens vs  Toulouse |
3 – 2 | W | Stade Bollaert-Delelis |
| Ligue 1 | 4 Apr 2026 |  LOSC Lille vs Lens |
3 – 0 | L | Stade Pierre-Mauroy |
| Ligue 1 | 20 Mar 2026 | Lens vs  Angers SCO |
5 – 1 | W | Stade Bollaert-Delelis |
Nantes
Nantes have had a more uneven league run, starting with a strong 3-0 home win over Olympique Marseille. Since then they have lost 1-2 away to Rennes and 0-3 away to Paris Saint Germain, before drawing 1-1 at home to Brest and 0-0 away to Auxerre.
That leaves them with one win, two draws and two defeats in their last five league matches. The away results in particular point to a side that has struggled to impose itself on the road, even if the clean sheet at Auxerre shows they can stay organised at times.
Nantes Last 5 Results
| League | Date | Match | Score | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ligue 1 | 2 May 2026 | Nantes vs  Olympique Marseille |
3 – 0 | W | Stade de la Beaujoire – Louis Fonteneau |
| Ligue 1 | 26 Apr 2026 |  Rennes vs Nantes |
2 – 1 | L | Roazhon Park |
| Ligue 1 | 22 Apr 2026 |  Paris Saint Germain vs Nantes |
3 – 0 | L | Parc des Princes |
| Ligue 1 | 19 Apr 2026 | Nantes vs Brest |
1 – 1 | D | Stade de la Beaujoire – Louis Fonteneau |
| Ligue 1 | 11 Apr 2026 |  Auxerre vs Nantes |
0 – 0 | D | Stade de l'Abbé Deschamps |
Team News & Injury Report
Lens
- Adrien Thomasson (Yellow Card Suspension)
- Mamadou Sangaré (Yellow Card Suspension)
Nantes
- Fabien Centonze (Cruciate Ligament Tear)
- Kelvin Amian (Pubalgia)
Lineups & Tactical Setup
Lens (3-4-2-1)
Predicted lineup: Robin Risser (Goalkeeper), Ismaëlo Ganiou (Defender), Malang Sarr (Defender), Samson Baidoo (Defender), TBC (Midfielder), TBC (Midfielder), Matthieu Udol (Midfielder), Saud Abdulhamid (Midfielder), Allan Saint-Maximin (Attacker), Florian Thauvin (Attacker), Odsonne Édouard (Attacker)
Lens’s predicted 3-4-2-1 should give them width from the wing-backs and enough support between the lines for Allan Saint-Maximin and Florian Thauvin to link play behind the striker. With Matthieu Udol in midfield and three centre-backs behind them, they can keep a solid base while still committing numbers forward.
Nantes (4-2-3-1)
Predicted lineup: Patrik Carlgren (Goalkeeper), Chidozie Awaziem (Defender), Deiver Machado (Defender), Frédéric Guilbert (Defender), Nicolas Cozza (Defender), Ibrahima Sissoko (Midfielder), Johann Lepenant (Midfielder), Matthis Abline (Midfielder), Mohamed Kaba (Midfielder), Rémy Cabella (Midfielder), Ignatius Ganago (Attacker)
Nantes’s predicted 4-2-3-1 should give them a compact midfield screen and a clear outlet through the central attacker. With Rémy Cabella and the wide support around Ignatius Ganago, they can look to break quickly if they win the ball in good areas.
Key Battles & Players to Watch
| Lens | Nantes | Text |
|---|---|---|
| Lens | Nantes | Allan Saint-Maximin against Chidozie Awaziem could be decisive if Lens can isolate that side and let Saint-Maximin carry the ball at pace. |
| Lens | Nantes | Matthieu Udol against Ibrahima Sissoko looks important in midfield, with both sides needing control in the central areas. |
| Lens | Nantes | Allan Saint-Maximin is key for Lens because he offers direct running and a likely route to chance creation in the final third. |
| Lens | Nantes | Ignatius Ganago is key for Nantes because he is the main attacking reference in the 4-2-3-1 and the clearest route to a goal. |
FAQs
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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.
