- Team form: Lens are the better and sharper side, having collected seven points from six matches to stand 9th in Ligue 1 2026/2027 ahead of this weekend's fixtures.
- Recent form: Troyes have lost three, drawn one and won one of their last five, suffering consecutive 2-0 defeats against Lille and Angers ahead of their 2-2 draw with Dijon last weekend.
Lens look likely to land this one
Lens will feel the good vibes of their 2-1 home win over Lyon last weekend will carry them through to take all three points away to Troyes at Stade de l'Aube on Saturday. They lost 2-1 at Monaco the weekend before that defeat, so they come into this game with mixed results but with a bit of momentum after seeing off a good side in Lyon.
So, the visitors look the value choice here, particularly given they came away with a 4-2 win in the Coupe de France 2025/2026.
Lens are also ahead of Troyes on the field with Yannick Cahuzac getting his men to press in waves and hit on the break. Stéphane Dumont's young and exciting team like to play the ball on the ground and move it vertically and wide, but they need to hit it in the net more often, having notched only two home goals in Ligue 1 2026/2027 (1.00 average).
- They are a bit unfortunate not to have won one of their three away games so far in Ligue 1 2026/2027 and are still seeking their first road victory, while Troyes are winless in two at home.
- Lens have conceded six in their three road games, which does at least give Troyes a chance of nicking something at some stage in what looks like a close contest.
- The former Marseille star has three goals in five Ligue 1 2026/2027 games and has four assists in his last five appearances, so he is the danger man to watch out for.
Lens’ Thauvin is a threat
Key match-up
Antoine Mille leads Troyes' scoring chart with one goal in five games and is ESTAC's best finisher, but Lens have a reliable finisher in Florian Thauvin.
Betting and predictions
A Lens win is my selection at 1.86, ahead of the draw at 3.85 and Troyes at 3.65, but there is an alternative angle for those looking to play with odds-on. Both Teams to Score at 1.5 seems very viable given the visitors' open style on the road and Troyes' need to attack at home.
