Strasbourg vs RC Lens Prediction 27.02.2026 | Ligue 1

The Alsatians head into Friday night’s showdown in buoyant spirits after a commanding 3-1 victory over Lyon last weekend — a performance that underlined their growing confidence under Gary O’Neil and solidified their place in seventh.

Strasbourg have developed a stronghold at home during the 2025-26 campaign, collecting seven wins from their eleven league outings on their own turf. They will be eager to maintain that momentum as they attempt to close the gap on the European qualification spots.

Since O’Neil’s arrival, Le Racing have shown clear attacking intent, but defensive solidity remains a work in progress. In eight matches across all competitions under the Englishman, they have kept just one clean sheet, highlighting an area that must improve if they are to sustain a serious push for a top-six finish.

The only confirmed absentee for the hosts is 23-year-old forward Emmanuel Emegha, who remains sidelined with a muscle fiber tear and is expected to be out for some time. Nevertheless, the squad retains sufficient attacking depth to compensate for his absence as they look to continue their upward trajectory.

From their side, RC Lens travel to the Stade de la Meinau firmly established as Paris Saint-Germain’s closest challengers in the Ligue 1 title race. Sitting in an impressive second place with 52 points from 23 matches, the northern outfit have positioned themselves as genuine contenders for the crown.

Under the astute leadership of Pierre Sage, Les Sang et Or have developed into one of the toughest teams to break down in the division. Their defensive discipline has been exceptional, conceding just 20 goals all season while keeping nine clean sheets — numbers that underline their tactical balance and resilience.

Although last weekend’s dramatic 3-2 home defeat to Monaco slightly halted their momentum, Lens remain a formidable force on their travels. They have claimed maximum points in four of their last five away fixtures, highlighting their ability to perform under pressure in hostile environments.

Unlike their Friday hosts, however, the northern side must cope without several key players. Samson Baidoo, Jonathan Gradit, and Mamadou Sangare are all sidelined with injuries and will remain unavailable, testing the squad’s depth ahead of this crucial encounter.