Lens vs Lyon: Ligue 1 Prediction (16.08.2025)

On Saturday, 16 August at 22:00 WIB at Stade Félix Bollaert, Lens will host Olympique Lyonnais in the opening match of the 2025–2026 French Ligue 1 season. Last season, the hosts finished in eighth place, while the visitors ended in sixth.

Ahead of the Lens vs Lyon clash, bookmakers give a slight edge to the home side. A win for Les Sang et Or is priced at 2.34, a draw at 3.60, and a win for Les Gones at 3.02. Football analysts expect a medium-scoring game: over 2.5 goals is priced at 1.71, while both teams to score has odds of 1.59.

Lens

The club management decided on a minor reshuffle, as failing to qualify for European competition was seen as disappointing. Will Still, considered young for a coach, was dismissed and replaced by French manager Pierre Sage. Interestingly, last season Sage actually started the season with Lyon before being replaced mid-season by Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca.

A large transfer budget from the sale of Nil El Aynaoui to AS Roma allowed Lens to be active in the transfer market. Key signings include defender Samson Baidoo from RB Salzburg and the return of experienced forward Florian Thauvin from Udinese to France.

Lyon

Under Paulo Fonseca, the squad strengthened its midfield this summer. Two solid defensive midfielders joined: Orel Mangala returned from his loan at Everton, and Tyler Morton arrived from Liverpool. Attacking midfielder Pavel Šulc was signed from Viktoria Plzeň, while talented young forward Afonso Moreira came from Sporting CP. Fonseca’s task now is to integrate these new players to boost the team’s strength. Lyon’s preseason went well, with matches against tough opponents like Bayern Munich, Getafe, and Hamburg.

Head-to-Head Statistics

Since 2022, the two teams have met seven times, with Lens leading 4–1 in wins. Last season in Lens, the match ended goalless, while in Lyon’s home ground, the hosts lost 1–2.

Prediction

Considering the head-to-head record, Lyon has been a relatively comfortable opponent for Lens. Coupled with a new coach and interesting signings, the prediction leans towards Lens not losing and total goals under 3.5 at odds of 2.09.