Lens vs. PSG Betting Preview – Ligue 1, September 10, 2020

Following a long wait, PSG finally opens their 2020/21 Ligue 1 account on Thursday. The defending champion has been enjoying an extended break after reaching the Champions League final last month, but it is now time for Thomas Tuchel’s men to get down to domestic business.

Newly-promoted Lens is PSG’s first opponent this season. The Blood and Gold lost their opening game following a tough test against Nice, but it doesn’t get any easier for Franck Haise’s side.

After assessing the odds, I share my Lens vs. PSG prediction and betting pick.

I’m aware that PSG will be a bit rusty having not played any competitive games for a couple of weeks, but the price for the away win seems unusually high here. The capital club rarely loses a domestic game, so I was expecting the odds for the PSG win to be a lot lower.

Yes, Lens has the home advantage. But with stadiums in France only allowing a limited capacity, I don’t think the home side will have much of an edge in this fixture.

Despite losing their opening game of the season, it’s fair to say that Franck Haise’s men gave a good account of themselves against Nice. Lens opened the scoring after just 11 minutes and finished with a whopping 17 shots, but goals either side of half-time saw the Eagles come from behind and snatch the win.

That was Lens’ first top-flight game since 2014/15, so the team can’t be too disappointed with their efforts. Following a five-year absence from Ligue 1, the Blood and Gold will be pumped to be back in the big time. But they can’t afford to let any complacency creep in.

PSG returned from the length lay-off and clinched two trophies in the space of a week. Tuchel’s side saw off St-Etienne to secure the Coupe de France before edging Lyon on penalties in the Coupe de la Ligue final.

Victories over Atalanta and RB Leipzig followed soon after in the Champions League, but the Parisians eventually fell at the last hurdle against Bayern Munich. Having reached the UCL final, PSG can be proud of their achievements. But after missing out on the elusive silverware, the club will surely still feel disheartened.

Nevertheless, PSG doesn’t have time to dwell on what could have been. Tuchel’s star-studded squad must now turn their attention to securing an eighth Ligue 1 title in nine years.

PSG may be missing a number of key performers at the moment, with players away on international duty and some absent due to health and safety concerns. However, the Parisians still possess more than enough firepower to beat Lens. Haise’s men will be eager to prove that they belong at this level, but I simply can’t see the Ligue 1 newcomer troubling the reigning champion on Thursday.