Arsenal vs Lens predictions: Gunners can advance with a victory
- Arsenal have won six of their last seven home fixtures
- Thirteen of Lens' last 14 games have featured less than four goals
- Recommended bet: Arsenal and under 3.5 goals
Arsenal have not played in the Champions League knockout rounds since 2017, but they have the first of two chances to seal qualification when taking on Lens at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners lost 2-1 away to Lens on matchday two, but have won their other three matches and need just a point to clinch a round of 16 berth with a game to spare.
Lens are in a more precarious position because a defeat could see them eliminated if PSV Eindhoven are victorious away to Sevilla.
The French side lost 1-0 to PSV at the Philips Stadion earlier this month.
Team news
Thomas Partey (thigh), Emile Smith Rowe and Jurrien Timber (both knee) are sidelined, but David Raya could return after being ineligible to face Brentford on Saturday and Fabio Vieira can rejoin the squad before resuming his domestic ban this weekend.
Gabriel Jesus returned from injury against the Bees and will compete with Eddie Nketiah for the central striker’s position.
Lens will be without winger Morgan Guilavogui, who serves a suspension after his dismissal in the 1-0 loss away to PSV.
Defender Kevin Danso has recovered from a foot injury, but left back Deiver Machado (thigh) is a doubt and Jimmy Cabot and Wuilker Farinez (both knee) are long-term absentees.
The stats
Arsenal have faced Lens in three Champions League matches and taken just one point from a possible nine.
The Gunners are unbeaten in their last ten home games, winning eight of them and drawing two, while eight of Arsenal’s last ten wins have been accompanied by clean sheets.
Lens were unbeaten in six Champions League fixtures until this month’s 1-0 loss away to PSV.
They have lost just one of their last 12 games, keeping clean sheets in six of them and 13 of Lens’ last 14 fixtures have featured less than four goals.
Prediction
Arsenal have registered a pair of comfortable home wins in the Champions League and can see off Lens to clinch a place in the knockout stages..
Mikel Arteta’s need only a point to advance, but they would much rather take all three to ensure top spot and seeded status in the round of 16 draw.
They will take the game to Lens and should eventually achieve a breakthrough against a stubborn, well-organised opponent.
Lens propped up the French top-flight standings after taking just one point from their first five games, but they have recovered strongly and remain in sixth place after Saturday’s 3-0 success at Clermont.
Franck Haise’s side were worthy 2-1 winners against an injury-hit Arsenal in October, but they face a tougher challenge in north London.
The hosts have been boosted by Gabriel Jesus’ recent recovery from injury and they should do enough to register a low-scoring success.
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