Auxerre Vs Lens

Auxerre, the newly-promoted side, will be aiming to maintain their impressive form as they face Lens on the final matchday of 2024. This upcoming fixture promises to be a crucial one for both teams, as Auxerre seeks to extend their remarkable start to their Ligue 1 campaign, while Lens looks to finish the year on a high note as they battle for a European spot. The match will be played at Auxerre’s Stade de l’Abbé Deschamps, where the hosts have enjoyed a strong home record in 2024, and Lens will be hoping to continue their own solid run of form.

Auxerre’s return to Ligue 1 after their promotion has been nothing short of sensational. Their performance against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) last weekend, where they managed to secure a hard-fought 0-0 draw, was a testament to their resilience and determination. This result, in particular, was significant not only because PSG are the reigning champions of the league, but also because it extended Auxerre's incredible unbeaten run at home in 2024. The team has shown remarkable strength at the Stade de l’Abbé Deschamps this year, and the draw against PSG left them in eighth place, just three points behind Lens, who occupy the final European spot in the table.

Looking back at Auxerre’s home form this year, the team has been a formidable opponent on their own turf, having only lost one of their 17 home matches in 2024. That sole defeat came at the hands of Monaco, who triumphed 3-0. Since then, Auxerre have been nearly unbeatable at home, with PSG becoming only the second team to avoid defeat at the Stade de l’Abbé Deschamps in their last 12 games. This run has helped establish Auxerre as a difficult team to face at home, and they will be hoping to carry this form into their encounter with Lens.

However, Lens are no strangers to frustrating their opponents, and Auxerre will need to be at their best to avoid losing back-to-back home games to them. In the past, Auxerre has struggled in matches against Lens, and head coach Christophe Pelissier will be looking to turn the tide in this encounter. Pelissier has not had the best record against Lens, having lost five of his seven career meetings as a manager against them. Despite this, Pelissier has done well with Auxerre so far this season, and he will be eager to improve his record against Lens and continue to build on the team's strong start.

For Pelissier and Auxerre, the key to success in this match may lie in adopting a more offensive approach than they did in the draw against PSG. That match was a defensively-minded performance, with Auxerre focused on holding their own against the attacking prowess of PSG. However, against Lens, Pelissier might need to take a more proactive stance in attack to avoid going three games without scoring—a situation that has not occurred since January 2023, when Auxerre were relegated from Ligue 1. It will be important for Auxerre to find a balance between being solid defensively and being more incisive going forward, particularly as they look to secure a European place for the next season.

On the other side, Lens come into this match with solid momentum, having won their last two games in convincing fashion. Under head coach Will Still, Lens defeated Reims and Montpellier 2-0 in consecutive games, showing their ability to keep clean sheets and perform well in crucial fixtures. This positive form puts them in a good position heading into their final game of the year, with a chance to secure their place in Europe for next season. If they manage to win this game, they could achieve three consecutive victories without conceding for the first time in nearly two years, which would be a remarkable achievement for the club.

Despite their solid recent form, Lens have found it difficult to break into the top four due to the exceptional form of the teams above them in the table. They remain just three points off the coveted top-four spots, but their ability to move up the standings has been restricted by their inconsistent results earlier in the season. Lens' form during the early part of the campaign was characterized by a series of draws, as they went five games without a win between September and October. However, their form has since improved, as they have won four of their last seven games and lost only three. This shift in results has been a positive development for the club, as it has moved them closer to their goal of securing a European place.

One of the key reasons for Lens’ improvement has been their defensive solidity. They have been tough to beat in recent weeks, and this has been a hallmark of their play under Will Still. In fact, their only defeat on the road this season came at the Parc des Princes, where they lost to PSG. This record of being difficult to beat away from home has helped Lens remain in contention for a European spot, and they will be hoping to continue this strong form in their final match of 2024 against Auxerre. Lens will need to keep their defensive discipline while also being clinical in front of goal if they are to secure a crucial three points at the Stade de l’Abbé Deschamps.

The historical head-to-head record between the two clubs also leans in Lens’ favor. In their last 21 meetings with Auxerre, Lens have emerged victorious on 12 occasions, while Auxerre have won just two. This strong record against Auxerre will provide Lens with added confidence heading into this match, knowing that they have had the upper hand in recent encounters. Additionally, the team will be motivated by the prospect of securing a European place, which would represent a significant achievement for the club. If they can continue their fine form against Auxerre, they will be well-positioned to achieve their goal of European qualification.

For both teams, this match represents an important opportunity to end the year on a high note. Auxerre will be looking to continue their strong start to the season and build on their impressive home form, while Lens will be aiming to finish 2024 with a victory that could bring them closer to securing a European spot for next season. With both teams in good form and plenty at stake, this promises to be an exciting and tightly contested match. As the final matchday of 2024 approaches, the stakes couldn’t be higher for either side, and both teams will be determined to secure a positive result.