Lens vs Sporting Prediction, H2H Stats & Statistical Bets 13 October 2026
π In away matches against Ligue 1 clubs, Sporting had won just once in nine attempts - in the 2010/11 Europa League at Lille. Rui Borges's current side are considerably more reliable on the road, though: in their last 19 away trips, they have come away without a point only once - in March, at BodΓΈ. Lens are also a tough proposition at home in European competition, having lost just two of their last 29 home matches. The two clubs have never met before, and their matchday 2 Champions League league phase fixture takes place on 13 October at the Bollaert-Delelis.
π We regularly update this prediction. Keep an eye on the Latest News section.
Head-to-Head
π Lens and Sporting have never met in an official match. Lens have faced a Portuguese opponent in European competition just once, losing to Porto in the third round of the 2002/03 UEFA Cup. Sporting have won their last three matches against French clubs, though all three were at home: against Lille, Marseille and PSG. Lens forward Franjo IvanoviΔ is on loan from Benfica and faced them twice last season, with Benfica winning both times.
Lens: Thauvin inspires first away victory in 21 years
Lens began their Champions League campaign with a comeback win in Prague. Slavia led twice, the second time late in the match, but in stoppage time Florian Thauvin headed an equaliser before Ruben Aguilar won it for the French side. That victory ended a run of 16 away matches in European competition without a win, stretching back to September 2005. Thauvin was the key figure in attack and has now scored five goals this season.
In Ligue 1, things are harder. Lens have seven points after six rounds, while leaders Monaco have 14. Under Yanick Cahuzac, the club's former captain, Lens picked up their first three points in the league only on 9 October, beating Lyon 2-1. Thauvin provided both assists in that match.
Match Results: Lens
Sporting: Two Own Goals, Two Responses
Sporting's last two matches have both started with an own goal against them. In the opening round of the Champions League, Galatasaray took an early lead after an own goal from GonΓ§alo InΓ‘cio. The response was convincing: goals from Geny Catamo, LuΓs SuΓ‘rez from the penalty spot and Rodrigo Zalazar from a free kick gave Sporting a 3-1 win over Galatasaray.
In Braga on 9 October the story repeated itself: Sporting went into half-time behind after an own goal from their goalkeeper Rui Silva. On the 58th minute, Rui Borges sent on three substitutes at once, and within 16 minutes the ball was in Braga's net three times. The Lisbon side won again by the same scoreline. Previously under Borges, they had only taken draws from Braga. In the Primeira Liga, Sporting are second with 18 points, six behind Porto, who have a perfect 24.
Match Results: Sporting Lisbon
Latest news
Lens
β Lens's main absentee is Abdallah Sima. The forward injured his thigh while on international duty with Senegal and, according to the French press, is not expected back until the end of November. In the match against Lyon, Odsonne Γdouard took Sima's place through the middle. Defender Jonathan Gradit is a doubt: he went off in the second half of that same match, though Cayzac does not consider the injury serious. Mathieu Udol received a two-match league ban for a straight red card against Lyon. The suspension does not apply to the Champions League. Thorgan Hazard and Jean-Clair Todibo were not included in the squad for the Lyon match; according to the local press, they lack match fitness. Mike Nawrocki, who has a cruciate ligament injury, and Joanner Chavez have not been included in the Champions League squad.
Sporting Lisbon
β Rui Borges looks likely to be without Rodrigo Salazar. The Uruguayan picked up a thigh muscle injury in Braga and, according to the Portuguese press, has missed two training sessions. His place could be taken by 19-year-old JoΓ£o SimΓ΅es, who has recently returned from a metatarsal fracture. Winger Nuno Santos faces a lengthy absence, recovering from surgery on his patellar tendon.
Predicted Lineups
π Predicted starting XI for Lens: Risser - Gradit, Ganiou, Antonio - Aguilar, Titraoui, Cuisance, Udol - Sotoca, Thauvin - Edouard.
π Predicted starting XI for Sporting: Rui Silva - Vagiannidis, Quaresma, Inacio, Araujo - Altimira, Doumbia - Catamo, Joao Simoes, Luis Guilherme - Suarez.
β½οΈ Goals Prediction
Lens have scored and conceded in 6 of their last 7 matches. Lens have gone without a clean sheet seven times in a row, and 14 times in a row in the Champions League. On the other side, Sporting have scored in 15 consecutive matches. In the Champions League league phase, the Lisbon side have found the net in 25 consecutive matches. We expect goals at both ends. The bet is Both Teams to Score - Yes.
π© Corners Prediction
More than ten corners occurred in just one of Sporting's last seven away matches. The Lisbon side take relatively few corners themselves and leave opponents with little either: across their last 10 matches, Sporting have taken 44 corners and their opponents 26. Against Galatasaray, the two sides managed just three corners between them. Lens are more active in this regard - 70 corners across their last 10 official matches. But generating that kind of volume against Sporting is difficult, and we are not expecting more than ten corners. The bet is Total Corners - Under 10.5.
π¨ Yellow Cards Prediction
Fewer than five yellow cards were shown in 6 of Sporting's last 7 Champions League matches. Lens matches have also been relatively light on bookings. Across their last 10 meetings, referees have shown 33 yellows in total, 19 of which went to the French side. Even in Prague, where Slavia played with ten men from the 49th minute, the referee showed just one yellow card - to a Lens player. We are not expecting more than four yellows in the upcoming match either. The bet is Total Yellow Cards - Under 4.5.
π Player Stat Bet
Luis SuΓ‘rez has scored in seven consecutive matches. In Braga, the Colombian started on the bench after three matches for his national team in the United States, but scored eight minutes after coming on. He has eight goals for the season in total. At Sporting, the Colombian has now scored 46 goals - level with Fredy Montero, the club's all-time top scorer among Colombians. The Portuguese press expect him to start in France. The bet is SuΓ‘rez to Score.
π± Risky Bet
Sporting scored more than one goal in 8 of their last 9 matches. Lens have conceded two goals in five of their last seven. There is a risk: at home in the Champions League, Lens have gone six matches in a row without defeat. But in the open game we are expecting, two goals for the Lisbon side is a realistic scenario. The bet is Sporting Team Total - Over 2.0 at 3.10*.
π― Reliable Bet
At home, Lens have scored in 20 of their last 22 matches. In the Champions League the record is even more consistent: the French side have scored in all nine of their home matches in the competition. In official matches this season, Lens have failed to score just once - at home against Lorient. Our bet comes through at any scoreline in which the hosts score at least once. The bet is Lens to Score at 1.21*.
π If the Match Goes Off Script
The likely scenario is an open game in which both teams score. That changes if the match remains goalless at half-time. Lens have conceded in the second half in 6 of their last 7 matches. Sporting have scored after the break in 5 of their last 6 away matches. In live betting, if the score is 0-0 at half-time, look at bets on the Lisbon side to score in the second half and not to lose.
*Odds are indicative and may vary across different bookmakers
π Editorial Prediction
Lens rarely have a dull match this season. More than two goals have been scored in six of their last seven fixtures. Over six Ligue 1 rounds, Lens have scored 11 goals and conceded ten. In the Champions League, they have not had a single goalless draw in 19 matches. Sporting are equally attack-minded. At least three goals combined have been scored in 12 of the Lisbon side's last 14 matches. We do not expect this one to be settled by just two goals. The bet is Total Goals - Over 2.5. Predicted score: 2-2.
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Betting Tips: Lens - Sporting Lisbon
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in 6 of last 7 games.in 5 of last 6 away games.Comparison of Teams Stats
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