- Team form: RC Lens are in mixed-to-solid form coming into this match (W3, D1, L1).
- Opposition form: A.J. Auxerre are in similar form to Lens (W2, D2, L1).
- Head-to-head: Lens have had the better of the last 5 head-to-heads (W3, D1, L1).
First return fixture for Will Still
Match context
RC Lens and A.J. Auxerre will be two of Ligue 1's more entertaining teams in 2026/2027 and they are likely to make a fast start when they face off in the early kick-off on Saturday afternoon.
Tactical setups
Dino Toppmöller has Les Sang et Or playing a high-intensity, forward-facing 3-4-3 formation with lots of wing-back width, controlled build-up and medium to high pressing.
Will Still's men will be just as proactive with their 4-3-3, as they try to force turnovers with aggressive pressing and a quicker attacking tempo.
Player to watch
Thelonius Bair is the livewire up top for Les Icaunais, and he has contributed 3 goals to their 7 goal haul across the last 5 matches.
Lens have an edge on paper
Our prediction is for Lens to nick it in a game that should be close and competitive enough to keep Auxerre in it.
- On paper, Les Sang et Or have the edge at 1.59, while Auxerre are 5.2 and the draw 4.0.
- Lens have won 3 of the last 5 meetings between these clubs, while Auxerre have won once and the other finished all square.
- Lens won the home leg of this fixture 1-0 in Ligue 1 2025/2026 and they average 0.5 goals per game conceded at home to Auxerre across the past 5 meetings.
Auxerre can keep it tight
The visitors have the games behind them to keep it close, however. They have played consistently well across all competitions, just like Lens, with 5 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats in their last 10 matches. Auxerre drew 1-1 at home to ES Troyes AC before nicking a 0-1 win at SV Werder Bremen, a decent result for the trip to Bollaert.
Lens are also in solid form but with mixed results, winning 3, drawing 1 and losing 1 in their last 5. They also played 3 at home, drawing 2-2 with Royal Charleroi SC and beating Villarreal CF 3-1 before losing 2-0 to Sunderland. But they have conceded 8 goals in 6 home games so far and the odds for goals look very appealing, with Both Teams to Score at 1.65 and Over 2.5 at 1.62.
