Arsenal v RC Lens Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips

🏆 Arsenal v RC Lens UCL Prediction

The clash between Arsenal and Lens in gameweek two was the fifth between the two sides in UEFA competition and third in the Champions League, with the Gunners having now drawn one and lost two matches against their Ligue 1 opponents in the UCL. In fact, their only wins against Lens came in the 1999/00 UEFA Cup, as Arsenal triumphed 1-0 and Highbury and 2-1 a couple of weeks later at the Stade Felix-Bollaert.

Notwithstanding this and the Gunners’ surprise 2-1 defeat in northern France on October 3rd, Mikel Arteta’s men have performed much better than Lens in this season’s Champions League, especially from an offensive perspective. For example, they’ve averaged 57.3% possession across their four games so far (compared to 44.5% for Lens), while their xG value of 7.2 is considerably higher than their opponents (4.3).

Of course, Arsenal will be without one of their leading attackers in the form of Gabriel Jesus, who has scored three goals from an xG value of 1.9 but is set to miss out with a hamstring strain. However, winger Bukayo Saka looks to be hitting top form in the competition, with two goals to his name so far and an average of 6.11 shot-creating actions per 90.

Overall, the Gunners should have too much attacking quality and depth for Lens, while it’s important to note that Arsenal are unbeaten in nine home matches this season (they’ve won seven of these games). So, I’m backing them to record a comfortable win here at secure top spot in Group B.

💯 Arsenal v RC Lens UCL Match Odds

You can place a number of different wager types when betting on the Arsenal vs Lens game, including the match winner or outcome, BTTS and the over/under on how many goals will be scored in the contest. Below, I’ll take a closer look at these markets and their very latest odds.

🏅 Arsenal v RC Lens: Match Winner

As I have already touched on, Arsenal are the early, odds-on favourites to beat Lens in gameweek five. Conversely, Lens can be backed at an average price of 9.00, which implies just an 11.11% probability of the Ligue 1 outfit prevailing at the Emirates.

Team
Arsenal to Win	1.33	1.33	1.28	1.25	1.33
RC Lens to Win	9.00	8.00	8.80	9.00	8.00
Draw	5.00	5.25	5.50	5.50	5.25

⚽ Arsenal v RC Lens: Both Teams To Score

Both teams have scored in 10 of the Gunners’ 19 matches this season, with Arsenal keeping an impressive eight clean sheets and finding the back of the net in all but one of their games (a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle on November 4th). Both teams have scored in exactly half of Lens’ 16 games in 2023/24, although the Ligue 1 outfit have failed to register in five matches across all competitions.

Yes/No
Yes	1.87	1.95	1.93	1.90	1.91
No	1.83	1.83	1.78	1.85	1.80

🥅 Arsenal v RC Lens: Over/Under 2.5 Goals

Most over/under wagering action is likely to focused around the 2.5 goals betting line, with the 35 matches contested by these two teams in all competitions producing 89 goals at a rate of 2.54 per game. Generally speaking, the odds imply a higher probability of over 2.5 goals being scored in the game, which makes sense given the Gunners strength and potency at the Emirates.

Under/Over
Over 2.5 Goals	1.55	1.55	1.53	1.57	1.57
Under 2.5 Goals	2.30	2.30	2.32	2.38	2.25

1️⃣ Arsenal Update

Arsenal have won 12 and lost three of their 19 matches in all competitions this season, with this equating to a win-rate of 63.16%. Interestingly, each of the team’s three defeats have come away from the Emirates, where Arsenal have won seven and drawn two of their nine encounters while scoring 24 goals at a rate of 3.42 per game. Star forward Bukayo Saka is also in exceptional form both at home and abroad, with the winger having contributed six goals and eight assists in 17 matches through 2023/24 and scored in both UCL home games so far.

As I’ve already touched on, Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus will miss the match against Lens with a hamstring injury. The game may also come too soon for skipper and attacking midfielder Martin Ødegaard, as he continues to struggle with a hip problem. Emile Smith-Rowe is also laid low with a knee injury, while Jurrien Timber (cruciate ligament tear) and Thomas Partey (hamstring) remain long-term absentees.

2️⃣ RC Lens Update

Despite a torrid start to the 2023/24 season that saw Lens lose four of their first five Ligue 1 matches, they’ve been defeated just once in 11 outings since September 16th and risen from 18th to sixth in the league. This sequence also saw Lens go unbeaten in their first three UCL matches, before they slumped to a 1-0 loss against PSV at the Philips Stadion on November 8th. However, it’s fair to say that this improved run of form has been built largely on consistent home performances, as Lens are winless in their last three away matches and have only triumphed once on the road all season.

Lens could be boosted by the return of defensive midfielder Nampalys Mendy in time for their visit to North London, as he nears full fitness after suffering with a hamstring injury. However, left back Deiver Machado could miss out with a muscle injury he picked up during the international break, while young winger Óscar Cortés is absent with a shin complaint. Keeper Wuilker Fariñez and midfielder Jimmy Cabot (both cruciate ligament tear) remain long-term absentees for Lens.

👕 Arsenal v RC Lens- Potential Lineups

✒️ Lewis Humphries – Expert Tipster

Lewis Humphries is an experienced football writer and tipster from the UK. He writes regularly about the Champions League, Premier League, Serie A and other competitions, regularly delivering expert match predictions and betting insights. He also successfully predicted the winner of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, while accurately forecasting the outcome of several group stage and knockout games.