After a famous win at the San Siro last week, Club Brugge will look to maintain their strong recent record against French sides in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) when they host an inconsistent Lens side.
Match News and Current Form
Club Brugge became the first Belgian team to ever win away at Inter Milan in Europe on matchday two, with their 4-3 victory one of five in a row in all competitions. That run started after a 3-2 loss against Aston Villa in their UCL opener last month, which also represents their only failure to win across their last six competitive home fixtures. Boss Ivan Leko now looks to shore up a leaky defence which has conceded three times in four of their last five home games in this competition, with no side facing more shots across the first two league phase matchdays of this season than Brugge (51).
Lens scored twice in second-half stoppage-time to win 3-2 away at Slavia Prague on matchday one, but were unable to repeat the feat last week as they were beaten 2-0 at home by Sporting CP in their first European game under new manager Yannick Cahuzac. The Blood and Gold returned to winning ways at the weekend with a 3-1 victory at Troyes, so they’re now looking to win successive away games for the first time since February. Lens have never previously achieved back-to-back away victories in the UCL, but should carry confidence of doing so having lost just one of their six meetings with Belgian opponents in any competition (W2, D3).
Head-to-Head History
This will be the first H2H between the sides. Club Brugge won both of their UCL clashes with Ligue 1 clubs last season by 2+ goal margins, but overall French teams have still won 12 of their 23 UCL meetings with Belgian opposition (D6, L5).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Club Brugge have lost just one of the last 13 UCL main draw home games they scored first in (W10, D2).
Club Brugge scored exactly once in the first half in their last five competitive home matches.
Lens haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last 15 UCL fixtures.
Only three sides attempted more shots across the first two UCL matchdays than Lens (47).
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Nicolò Tresoldi netted a hat-trick against Inter and has scored four of his side’s six UCL goals this season, though none of his nine strikes in any competition this term came before the 30-minute mark. Lens’ Florian Thauvin has created 4+ chances in both his UCL appearances this season, and has seven goal contributions across his last six competitive away appearances (G3, A4).
Club Brugge appear to have no new injuries, while Lens’ Ruben Aguilar is doubtful after picking up an injury on Saturday.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Goals follow the hosts, so backing over 4.5 match goals could be a smart move.
Author: Tom Penn