On May 4, 2024, at 3:00 a.m., Ligue 1 will feature a highly anticipated match between sixth-ranked
Rheims (city in France)
Against the league's bottom two
Lorient (city in France)
The game will be crucial for both sides. This game is crucial for both sides, with Lens needing all three points to keep the possibility of reaching Europe alive, while Lorient need a win to boost their relegation hopes.
Lens, as the runner-up of Ligue 1 last season, has slipped down the rankings this season, but their strength is still not to be underestimated. The team is ranked third in Ligue 1 in terms of expected goals, but the actual number of goals scored is almost 14 less, which is mainly due to the fact that they are not capable of seizing chances. However, their defense has also had problems recently, conceding 15 goals in the last 10 rounds of matches and failing to shut out their opponents against relegated teams. Nevertheless, Lens still has a clear advantage over the weaker Lorient.
Lorient's performance this season has been a disaster, currently ranked second last in the league and still some distance away from the relegation line. The team's defense problem is particularly prominent, this season has lost 61 goals, is the league's worst defensive team. Recently, the team has lost five games in a row, conceding as many as 12 goals, and the defense is like a funnel. If Lorient wants to survive relegation, they not only need to give their all in every game, but also need to rely on the performance of other relegation opponents.
Looking at the history of the two sides' head-to-head record, Lens has a certain advantage. In the past meetings, Lens not only has a higher winning percentage, but also has a significantly higher average number of goals than Lorient. Therefore, in this match, Lens is expected to take the initiative with its strength and experience.
Considering that both sides have a strong desire to win, expect this match to be quite open and the goal count to be on the high side. Lens has a decent ability on the offensive end, while Lorient's defense is porous. Therefore, a scoreline of 3-1 or 4-1 is more than reasonable. However, soccer matches are often full of variables and the final result will need to be revealed in the match.
![[EXCLUSIVE REVEAL] Star's impending retirement, next home in doubt?](https://cn.btqiqiu.com/uploadfile/202411/0df999fc479235f.jpg)
