Lens vs Angers Preview: Predictions, Team News, and Lineups
Lens can move temporarily to the top of Ligue 1 when they host Angers at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Friday. Lens sit one point behind Paris Saint-Germain after a 2-1 loss at Lorient last weekend. Angers are 12th after a 2-0 defeat at Nice.
Match context
Pierre Sage’s side have won just one of their last four league games. That run has reduced their margin for error. Paris Saint-Germain hold a game in hand.
At home, Lens have been strong. They won 11 of their previous 12 domestic outings at Stade Bollaert-Delelis. In 2025-26 they lost only once at home when leading at half, a 3-2 reverse to Monaco in February.
Lens have 56 points so far. That is two points more than at the same stage of their 2022-23 campaign. That season ended with a second-place finish and 83 points, over a longer schedule.
Head-to-head, Lens are unbeaten in their last three home matches versus Angers. They also beat Angers 1-0 in this fixture last season.
Angers arrive with creativity concerns. They have the second-lowest expected goals ratio among current top-flight teams. The visitors failed to score in four of their last five Ligue 1 matches.
Only two away goals have been scored by Angers in the league this season. One of those goals came in a 1-0 win at Nantes. Angers could reach their 10th victory of the campaign on Friday.
Angers have lost six consecutive Ligue 1 meetings with Lens. Five of those defeats were by a solitary goal. Their last win at Bollaert-Delelis came in 2021, a 3-1 result.
Team news
Lens face multiple absences. Regis Gurtner, Samson Baidoo and Wesley Said are likely sidelined with hamstring strains. Jonathan Gradit has a lower-leg problem.
Ruben Aguilar is doubtful. Allan Saint-Maximin is also doubtful while recovering from a calf issue. Odsonne Edouard could start if Said misses out.
For Angers, Carlens Arcus is a doubt with a sore groin. Lens loanee Hervé Koffi is expected to keep goal again for Angers. Yassin Belkhdim is eligible to return from suspension, but he has a knock.
Goduine Koyalipou remains on loan from Lens. He has yet to score for Angers this season.
Injury and availability summary
- Lens: Gurtner, Baidoo, Said (hamstrings); Gradit (lower leg); Aguilar (doubtful); Saint-Maximin (doubtful).
- Angers: Arcus (groin doubt); Belkhdim (eligible but injured); Koffi expected to start; Koyalipou still searching for goals.
Possible lineups
| Lens (possible) | Angers (possible) |
|---|---|
| Risser; Celik, Ganiou, Sarr; Abdulhamid, Sangare, Thomasson, Udol; Thauvin, Fofana; Edouard | Koffi; Courcoul, Camara, Lefort; Raolisoa, Mouton, Belkebla, van den Boomen, Djibirin; Sbai, Koyalipou |
Filmogaz.com view and prediction
This Lens vs Angers preview covers predictions, team news and lineups ahead of kickoff. Lens possess the stronger home record and more attacking depth. Angers remain limited in creativity and away scoring.
Filmogaz.com predicts a narrow home win. Final score prediction: Lens 1-0 Angers.
