Monaco target return to Ligue 1 summit against Lens

Monaco can move back to the top of Ligue 1, at least temporarily, if they avoid defeat against Lens at Stade Louis-II on Friday evening.

Adolf Hutter’s side dropped to second, behind Lille on goal difference, after a 1-1 draw with Strasbourg. Lens are 10th following a 2-2 comeback draw away to Le Mans.

The result against Strasbourg ended Monaco’s perfect start and brought their first dropped points under new manager Filipe Luis. They can nevertheless remain unbeaten after their opening five Ligue 1 matches for only the second time in three seasons.

Monaco have conceded only two goals, giving them the joint-best defensive record in the division, while their average of 0.5 goals conceded per game is the league’s best.

They are also seeking a sixth successive unbeaten home league match this month. Monaco’s most recent September defeat at Stade Louis-II came in 2023, when they lost 1-0 to local rivals Nice. They have not lost a domestic match this season after conceding first, taking four points in those circumstances, and hope to record two competitive wins against Lens in the same year for the first time since 2014.

Lens have made a difficult start to the campaign more unsettled by parting company with Dino Toppmoller by mutual consent this week after only four Ligue 1 matches. The club conceded at least two goals in each of those games, with Yannick Cahuzac now in charge.

The Racing are unbeaten in their past two matches in all competitions. They recovered from two goals down to draw with Le Mans, days after twice overturning a deficit against Slavia Prague in the opening round of their Champions League campaign.

Lens had the second-best defence in the league last season but have focused more on attack in 2026-2027, scoring eight goals – the second-highest total in Ligue 1. Their finishing remains a concern, however, with 15 big chances missed, the most in the division. They have lost only once in their past six visits to Monaco and won 4-1 there last season.

Monaco’s Ligue 1 form is W-W-W-D, while their overall record is W-W-W-W-W-D. Lens are W-L-L-D in the league and W-W-L-L-W-D in all competitions.

Takumi Minamino is expected to miss out with a cruciate ligament injury. Ansu Fati has a calf problem, Anis Sobeir an ankle injury, and Folarin Balogun could be absent again after taking a knock. Edan Diop has a thigh strain, while Jordan Teze and Mamadou Coulibaly are doubts. Paris Brunner, who scored in the fourth round, has three Ligue 1 goals and is second in the scoring charts.

For Lens, Jhoanner Chavez and Yacine Titraoui have thigh injuries. Regis Gurtner and Samson Baidoo are doubts with hamstring problems, Maik Nawrocki is continuing his recovery from a cruciate injury, and Saud Abdulhamid is carrying a knock. Souleymane Sangnan returns from suspension. Abdallah Sima and Franjo Ivanovic scored in the fourth round, with the Senegalese forward claiming his first Ligue 1 goal of the season.

The predicted teams are:

Monaco: Hradecky; Vanderson, Dier, Salisu, Nazinho; Camara, Zakaria; Detourbet, Abline, Golovin; Brunner.

Lens: Risser; Gradit, Antonio, Udol; Aguilar, Haidara, Bulatovic, Hazard; Thauvin, Sima; Ivanovic.

Monaco are tipped to win 2-1. The listed selections are a Monaco win at 1.98, more than 2.5 goals at 1.42 and Paris Brunner to score at 2.30, while the exact-score prediction is priced at 7.75 with Betclic.