Lens vs Auxerre Prediction & Betting Tips (17 January)

A record RC Lens begins the return phase of Ligue 1 with a series of 9 victories in all competitions, something the club has never achieved in its history. 7 duels in this sumptuous sequence, including against Monaco 1-4, Strasbourg 1-0 and more recently Nice 2-0 and Toulouse 0-3, allowed the club to claim the honorary title of autumn champion. The Sang et Or were leading the Championship ahead of PSG before the start of the 18th day, by one point. They met brilliantly last weekend by landing at Sochaux N1; 0-3 their qualification for the round of 16 of the Coupe de France.

  Auxerre will a priori be forced to fight until the last day to avoid being relegated to Ligue 2. Penultimate in the Championship with the same total points as the red lantern, the Icaunais club is 4 points behind the first non-relegation club after being beaten by Lille 3-4 and Brest 2-0 in its last outings. Adding to these results the elimination in the round of 32 of the Coupe de France against Monaco 1-2, AJA therefore remains on 3 defeats in all competitions. 

Lens recovers its midfielder Sangaré (holder) but cannot launch its recruit Amadou Haidara (ex Leipzig), who returned injured from the CAN. The long-time absentees Gradit (starting defender) and Chavez (no matches) remain out and are joined on the floor by Edouard (7 goals in L1), the young striker Bermont (6 L1 matches) and number 2 goalkeeper Gurtner. The club noted the departure of Machado (Nantes) and Ojediran (Colorado Rapids) who were no longer in the coach's plans. The defense in which Baidoo, Ganiou and Sarr are associated is the best in Ligue 1, with 13 goals conceded in 17 days. Further up, Saïd (7 goals each in L1) and Thauvin (5 goals in L1) are the most dangerous Lensois for the Auxerre defense.  AJA is deprived of defenders Sierralta (executive) and Siwe (substitute), insufficiently recovered from their injury.

Suspended, the holders Mensah (left side) and Owusu (midfield) complete the list of absentees for this trip full of dangers. This Auxerre team can be satisfied with finding its attackers Sinayoko (6 goals in L1) and Namaso (2 goals in L1), returned from the CAN. Having just arrived at the club from Crystal Palace, midfielder Ahamada is set to make his debut this weekend. The timing is tighter for Faivre, whose loan from Bournemouth was made official on Thursday. 

• Summary: RC Lens is going head to head with Auxerre starting on 17 Jan 2026 at 16:00 UTC at Stade Bollaert-Delelis stadium, Lens city, France. The match is a part of the Ligue 1 .
• Referee: Bastien Dechepy
• Lens Feedinco Rating: 6.97
• Auxerre Feedinco Rating: 6.70