Prediction: Arsenal to win 4-0
RC Lens and Arsenal will lock horns with each other in the UEFA Champions League this week. The Group B match between the Ligue 1 club and the Premier League outfit will be held at Stade Bollaert-Delelis and is scheduled to kick off at 8 pm UK time on Tuesday.
RC Lens
RC Lens surprised many last season. They finished as high as second in the Ligue 1 table. Not many would have expected Les Sang et Or to end up in the UEFA Champions League places, but here they are, now brushing shoulders with the elite clubs in European football.
Franck Haise’s side, though, are not having the best of times in the league at the moment. RC Lens are currently 15th in the Ligue 1 table with seven points from seven matches, just a point above the relegation zone. They are six points off the final UEFA Champions League spots in the league table.
RC Lens, though, did make a positive start to their UEFA Champions League campaign. They played out a 1-1 draw with Sevilla away from home in Spain in their opening Group B match. Sevilla are a massive club with a huge European pedigree.
Team News:
Jimmy Chabot is a long-term absentee for RC Lens due to a cruciate ligament injury. Wuilker Farinez and Massadio Haidara are unlikely to play against Arsenal, but midfielder David Pereira da Costa could be on the bench after a shoulder injury. Elye Wahi is set to start for the French club.
Arsenal
Arsenal are having a wonderful season and are playing wonderful football at the moment. Things are looking very position for the Gunners, and the Emirates Stadium faithful are expecting a very successful campaign, both in the Premier League and in the UEFA Champions League.
The Gunners are third in the Premier League table at the moment with 17 points from seven matches. Mikel Arteta’s side are a point behind leaders and defending champions Manchester City. Arsenal eased past Bournemouth 4-0 away from home in the league this past weekend.
Arsenal have also made a very good start in the UEFA Champions League. The North London club beat Dutch giants PSV at the Emirates Stadium in their opening Group B match last month.
Team News:
Arsenal defensive midfielder Thomas Partey is back in training after suffering a groin injury. However, it is unlikely that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will risk Partey in midweek due to the Premier League match against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium this coming weekend. England international winger Bukayo Saka limped off in the second half against Bournemouth this past weekend, but he trained on Monday and is fit to face RC Lens.
Key Factors to Consider
- RC Lens have scored 7 goals in 7 Ligue 1 games.
- RC Lens have conceded 12 goals in 7 Ligue 1 games.
- Arsenal have scored 15 goals in 7 Premier League matches.
- Arsenal have conceded 6 goals in 7 Premier League matches.
- Bukayo Saka has scored 5 goals and given 4 assists in 9 competitive matches.
Conclusion
Although RC Lens are at home and will be determined to put on a good show, it is hard to see anything but a win for Arsenal in France. After all, the Gunners have the better team and are in very good form at the moment.
Prediction: Arsenal to win 4-0
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