The Ligue 1 2024-25 Matchday 29 fixtures take us to Stade Bollaert Delelis, where Lens are set to host Reims.

RC Lens are positioned 9th in the Ligue 1  points table. A win in the next game could see them climb a spot higher into 8th position. They are coming off three wins in their last five matches.

Talking about their performance, they have secured victories over Saint-Etienne, Rennes and Marseille. They will be looking to make the most of their home advantage when they host Reims, who have not been in great form recently and will be aiming for nothing less than a victory in the next game.

Talking about the performance of Stade de Reims, they are in desperate need of a victory as they find themselves in the relegation zone. A winless outing could see them drop down to 17th position.

In the last five matches they have played, they have managed to win only one, lost three, and drawn one. Their most recent encounter saw them reduced to 10 men as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Strasbourg.

Kick-off:

• Location: Lens, France
• Stadium: Stade Bollaert Delelis
• Date: Saturday, 12 April
• Kick-off: 12:15 AM IST
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In Use

Form:

Lens (in all competitions): W-L-W-W-L

Reims (in all competitions): L-W-W-D-L

Players to watch out for:

Mathew Ryan (Lens)

Mathew Ryan, the 33-year-old Australian goalkeeper from New South Wales, began his career with clubs like Blacktown City and Central Coast Mariners before moving on to Club Brugge and Valencia.

He also had stints with Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal. With a wealth of experience under his belt, he has consistently performed at an exemplary level throughout his career. Now, as Lens look to clinch a victory and secure a clean sheet, Ryan is expected to play a crucial role for the French outfit.

Keito Nakamura (Reims)

At a time when Reims are navigating through a challenging period, Keito Nakamura, the Japanese samurai from Chiba, has emerged as one of the brightest and most glimmering hopes for the visiting side. Nakamura began his career with Mitsubishi Yowa and Kashiwa Reysol before moving to Gamba Osaka in 2018.

He later showcased his talent with Austrian outfit LASK before joining Reims in 2023, where he has since made 50 appearances and scored 12 goals. On the international stage, he made his debut for the Japanese national team in 2023. His first international goal came against El Salvador in the 2023 Kirin Challenge Cup, and his most recent came nearly a year ago when he netted a brace against Myanmar.

Match Facts:

• Reims have nearly 41% win accuracy over their opponent.
• They lost two of their games in the last five matches.
• They have won three in their last five matches.

Lens vs Reims – Betting Tips and Odds:

• Lens to win the match – 3/5 with bet365
• Nakamura to score first – 9/2 with William Hill
• Lens 2-0 Reims – 30/1 with PaddyPower

Injuries and Team News:

Lens will most likely miss the presence of Jonathan Gradit and Denis Petric in the upcoming match.

For Reims, Kipre is set to miss the upcoming game after picking up a red card.

Head To Head stats:

Total matches – 73

Lens won – 24

Reims won – 30

Matches drawn – 19

Predicted Lineup:

Lens predicted lineup (3-4-1-2):

Ryan (GK); Sarr, Bah, Medina; Aguilar, Thomasson, El Aynaoui, Machado; Diouf; Sotoca, Said

Reims predicted lineup (5-4-1):

Diouf (GK); Sekine, Gbane, Okumu, Sangui, Akieme; Ito, Atangana, Kone, Nakamura; Ibrahim

Match Prediction:

Reims desperately need a win to propel themselves out of the relegation zone. However, Lens’ recent form suggest we can expect the home side to emerge victorious in the next game.

Prediction: Lens 2-0 Reims

Telecast Details:

India: TBD

US: fubo TV, beIN SPORTS

UK: beIN SPORTS