Lens vs Auxerre: Who can start the new Ligue 1 season with a win? - August 22, 2026
In the opening round of France's Ligue 1, Lens will take on Auxerre. The match will be played on Saturday, August 22, kicking off at 17:15 CET, and I have a betting tip for this fixture.
Lens vs Auxerre: Match preview
Lens produced excellent results in Ligue 1 last season, finishing second in the table. The team collected 70 points from 34 matches and finished six points behind the league leaders. As a result, Lens will compete in the UEFA Champions League. The new season is now getting underway, with the team having played seven friendlies in preparation. They lost twice, won four and drew once. Moreover, Lens have already begun their competitive campaign, playing in the French Super Cup. Last season, the team beat Nice 3-1 and went on to claim the Super Cup title by defeating PSG 1-0. Now it is time for the start of the French Ligue 1 campaign.
Lens' opponents will be Auxerre, who battled relegation last season but managed to remain in France's top flight. They collected 34 points from 34 matches and finished 15th in the table, two points ahead of Nice. Ahead of the new season, Lens played five friendlies: they won two, drew two and lost one. This season, Auxerre will once again be fighting for survival and will look to retain their place in the top flight.
Match facts and H2H
- Lens have won three of their last four matches.
- Auxerre have won just one of their previous four matches.
- Auxerre have scored at least one goal in each of their last ten matches.
- Lens beat Auxerre 1-0 in their most recent meeting.
Probable line-ups
- Lens: Risser; Aguilar, Ganiou, Nawrocki; Abdulhamid, Bulatovic, Titraoui, Udol; Thauvin, Sima, Ivanovic
- Auxerre: Diop; Sy, Diomande, Akpa, Oppegard; Piedfort, Danois, Ahamada; Casimir, Zossou, Namaso
Prediction
Lens head into this match in excellent spirits and will enter the game as the favourites. My betting tip is for a home win in their opening Ligue 1 match.
