Red Star - Lens - 09.01.2016 / France 3
After a decent start of the year let's try to take a close look for the today's game Red Star - Lens
Well .. both teams are undefeated in championship in the last 8 respectively 9 games, finishing 2015 in great style.
For a new comer, Red Star had incredible results, Rui Almeida boys finishing with same numbers of points as the team from 3rd spot. A hard working team, well organized who conceded only 15 goals (but don't forget they conceded 5 in a single game against Valenciennes). True is the are not scoring a lot only 18 goals in the 19 games played. Some media from France give Almeida's boys some chances to be involved in the promotion battle, but after what I saw I don't rate them to have the force to finish top 3. Some problems for them in this encounter as main striker Ngamukol is injured while Kane is suspended. No important movement in the winter break only striker LEfaix left the team for Tubize.
RC Lens had a very difficult start of the season. Koumboure chair shaken a lot in first 7 round, Lens being without a win in this period. But since then we saw a rejuvenated Lens, who lost a single game in last 12 (an unfair 1-2 away at Evian). They took 7 wins in the process and they finished 2015 at only 2 points behind 3rd spot with good chances for a top 3 spot. A serie of 3 consecutive wins put a nice end to an average 2015. On the road they are 3-3-3 beating Auxerre, Valenciennes and Paris FC. Often in these latest games Koumbouare rotate the team, so can't say they have a standard 11. Also for this game some rotation as Loic Landre, Bekamenga and Nanizayamo are not in the squad. Having a good and large squad, Lens didn't make any movement on transfer market so far.
Difficult to choice a winner here, but over all I rate Lens better than their opponent. Perhaps a game with 1-2 goals which will end with an away win. Value is in my eyes clearly on the away team. You can choice a better cover AH0+ for full refund in case of a draw.
