Monaco v Lens: Brunner backed to score as Ligue 1 leaders face stern test

AS Monaco begin the fifth round of Ligue 1 McDonalds 2026-2027 at home to RC Lens on Friday, with the leaders regarded as favourites at the Stade Louis II.

The match, scheduled for 18 September 2026 at 18:45 GMT, brings together Monaco and the side that finished runners-up to Paris Saint-Germain last season before defeating the champions in the Trophee des Champions at the start of this campaign.

Nasser Eddy, a consultant for NCI Sport and presenter of the European Champions League on radio Nostalgie, has provided his assessment and predictions for the contest.

Monaco start strongly

AS Monaco have made an unbeaten start in all official competitions. Their first setback came last weekend, when they drew 1-1 away to Strasbourg, following five consecutive victories in five competitive matches. That run included two UEFA Conference League qualifying wins and three Ligue 1 victories.

Among those league successes were impressive home wins against local rivals Olympique de Marseille, beaten 2-0, and Paris Saint-Germain, who lost 2-1.

Filipe Luis will again look to Paris Brunner, who has scored three Ligue 1 goals and two in the UEFA Conference League this season. His latest league goal came at Strasbourg. In midfield, Lamine Camara has been one of Monaco’s key performers after an uncompleted move to the Premier League earlier this summer.

Monaco have won fewer corners than their opponents in four of their six official matches, but they have scored at least once in the second half in five of those six games. The only exception came against Le Havre on the opening day.

Captain Denis Zakaria and his team-mates are priced at 2.23 to win.

Lens looking for a response

Lens have taken one point from their past three Ligue 1 matches since opening the season with a 5-2 victory over AJ Auxerre. Their 2-2 draw at Le Mans on Sunday ended a run of two successive league defeats.

Dino Toppmoller’s side did, however, begin their Champions League campaign with a dramatic 3-2 victory at Slavia Prague last week, secured late in the match after another significant comeback.

Florian Thauvin has scored four goals in five appearances this season, while Lens have found the net in four of their five official matches. Their only scoreless game came against Lorient. They have also won the corner count in each of their past four competitive fixtures.

The recent head-to-head record points towards goals. Ten of the past 11 meetings have produced at least three, with the sole exception a 1-1 draw in September 2024. Across the previous 25 encounters, Monaco have won 11, Lens six and there have been eight draws.

Last season, both teams won away from home, including Lens’ 4-1 victory at the Stade Louis II.

Ganiou set for return

Ismaelio Ganiou has emerged as a defensive standout for Lens. The 21-year-old Franco-Burkinabe impressed with his maturity and strength and has been linked with a place in Zinedine Zidane’s first France squad for next week’s FIFA window.

Ganiou missed the match at Le Mans but is expected to return in Monaco, where his presence could help a defence that conceded twice at the Stade Marie-Marvingt.

The recommended selections are a Monaco victory at 2.23 and both teams to score at 1.46. Lens are priced at 2.1 to win the corner market, while a 2-1 Monaco success is available at 8.5. Paris Brunner is 2.62 to score at any time and Thauvin 3.1.

The odds may change.