Lille and Lens are two of Ligue 1's UEFA Champions League representatives this season and, while Europe has been a struggle for both, they have made solid starts domestically.
Lille have lost their first three European assignments but sit third in Ligue 1, having lost only one of their eight matches.
Lens have won one and lost two of their UEFA Champions League fixtures but have recovered well from a slow start in the league, reeling off three straight wins over Lyon, Troyes and Paris FC.
Lens will be demanding more after finishing second behind Paris Saint-Germain last season, nine points clear of third-placed Lille.
However, the visitors lost key players over the summer as well as manager Pierre Sage to Crystal Palace.
After struggling under Dino Toppmoller, they are faring much better under interim Yannick Cahuzac, but this Derby du Nord looks Lille's to lose.
Lille v Lens Tips Summary
Best Bet - Lille to win @ 17/10
Alternative Bet - Florian Thauvin to score or assist @ 11/10
Bet Builder - Both teams to score, Florian Thauvin to have a shot on target & Benjamin Andre to be shown a card @ 5/1
Lille v Lens Prediction
Best Bet: Lille to win @ 17/10
Lens made it three wins on the spin with Saturday's 2-1 victory over Paris FC, but Lille tend to save their best efforts for home games and may bring the visitors' run to an end.
Lille started the weekend third, four places and two points above Lens, and they are unbeaten from their four games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Score draws with Paris Saint-Germain and Brest have been bolstered by wins over Troyes and Le Havre and they have an excellent record at home to Lens, winning the last four meetings.
Lille cruised to a 3-0 success on their own patch last season and they may be able to frank that form with the visitors having already lost at Strasbourg and Monaco.
Alternative Bet: Florian Thauvin to score or assist @ 11/10
Although Lille hold the aces, they have conceded in six of their last eight matches, and Lens have several attacking players capable of hurting them.
One is Florian Thauvin, a former Lille player, and he looks a big price to score or assist given his start to the season.
The 33-year-old has four goals and eight assists in eight league appearances, while he also netted in a 3-2 win over Slavia Prague in the UEFA Champions League.
Thauvin has had 20 shots in eight Ligue 1 matches and should give Lille plenty to think about.
Lille v Lens Bet Builder Tip
Both teams to score
Florian Thauvin to have a shot on target
Benjamin Andre to be shown a card
Pays 5/1
Lens have found some form in Ligue 1, but they have conceded in their last 11 matches in league and Europe this season.
Lille should exploit those defensive deficiencies, as they have seen both teams score in five of their seven home games.
Thauvin is a leading threat for Lens and, with 12 shots on target in eight appearances, can force a save from the home keeper.
It could be a fiery affair, as these neighbours will want to get one over a European rival, and Lille midfielder Benjamin Andre is a leading card candidate.
Andre has committed 11 fouls in six league appearances, and he was booked in Lille's last home game, in the UEFA Champions League against Galatasaray.
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Key Match Stats
Lille are unbeaten at home in Ligue 1 this season, recording two wins and two draws
Lille have won their last four meetings at home to Lens
Three of the last five head-to-heads have gone over 2.5 goals
Lens have conceded in their last 11 competitive matches
Lille have kept only one clean sheet in seven, with both teams scoring five times
Six of Lens' seven away matches this term have gone over 2.5 goals
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
