Competition: Coupe de France

Market: Goal to be scored in both halves

Odds: 8/11 @ 1xBet

Two camps who will turn their attention back to Coupe de France action on Thursday night, Lyon will welcome Lens to the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.

Starting with the hosts, although Lyon might have embarked on a sensational purple patch on either side of opening the New Year, Paulo Fonseca’s side have endured a downbeat fortnight. Last seen over the weekend falling to an action-packed 3-2 loss at the hands of bitter domestic rivals Marseille, the former Roma boss has seen his squad suffer consecutive defeats across all competitions for the first time since returning from November’s international break. Signing off January with a 3-1 drumming against Strasbourg, Les Gones have also shown some concerning defensive issues over the past couple of weeks. Nevertheless, storming their way to a Europa League Round of 16 ticket and making a major European statement, Lyon have gained a fearsome reputation for their dominance on home soil. In fact, Thursday’s hosts have won all of their previous nine consecutive showdowns at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais – a run that stems back to a 3-2 loss against reigning domestic and European champions PSG on November 9th.

As for the visitors, although Lens might have been dethroned at the top of the Ligue 1 table, Pierre Sage’s side have embarked on a public fairytale. Rightfully receiving a string of plaudits from across the continent, Thursday’s guests have firmly cemented their spot as one of Europe’s ultimate surprise packages. Sat in silver medal position among France’s elite, the ex-Lyon boss will be desperate to get one over on his former employers in midweek. Extending on their respective Coupe de France adventure with a rollercoaster 4-2 victory away at Troyes last month, Lens have lost just a pair of their previous 17 consecutive appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to the end of October. Storming their way to an empathic 5-0 romp against Paris FC on February 14th, Lens have also impressed with their clinical performances in the final third. It should be highlighted, Sage’s Champions League chasers have notched at least a pair of goals in seven of their last nine showdowns on the road.

Bet: Goal to be scored in both halves at Lyon vs Lens 8/11 for Thursday’s Coupe de France tie @ 1xBet