Separated by just two points at the top of Ligue 1 standings, third-placed Lens travel south to the French Riviera to face fifth-placed Monaco at Stade Louis II on Saturday, 8 November.
Keep close tabs on French Ligue 1 predictions after viewing our key Monaco vs Lens tips below.
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Key stats
- Monaco have suffered just one loss in their last eight games (W3, D4).
- The hosts have scored one first-half goal in five of their last six home games.
- Lens are only behind Arsenal in terms of scoring from set pieces in Europe’s top-five leagues.
- Les Sang et Or have won only twice in their opening five away games of the campaign (D1, L2).
Correct score prediction: Monaco 2-2 Lens
After a recent stumble against newcomers Paris FC, Monaco returned to winning ways in the UEFA Champions League with a 1-0 win over Bodo/Glimt. That defeat to the Parisians remains the Monegasques’ only loss in eight outings.
Sebastien Pocognoli will be wary of the threat the visitors carry, with Lens also getting back in groove with an emphatic 3-0 result against Lorient, following their 2-0 loss to Metz two matchdays ago. Pierre Sage’s men also have the advantage of extra preparation time, unlike Monaco who are also playing in Europe.
With both sides in resurgent form, expect this clash to end with both sides sharing a point apiece in a tightly-fought contest at Stade Louis II.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Strong home favourites
- HOME: 1/1 (2.00) – 50%
- DRAW: 14/5 (3.80) – 26.3%
- AWAY: 9/4 (3.25) – 30.7%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Monaco will look to avoid losing back-to-back home games, having gone unbeaten until Paris FC’s arrival. Priced at 1/1 (2.00), suggesting a majority 50% win probability, Monaco have the bookmakers backing them.
Lens failed to find the back of the net in their previous away trip to Metz. They are assigned 9/4 (3.25) odds of victory – indicating a 30.7% probability of victory in Monaco.
Don’t forget to check out more of our football betting tips page after analysing our Monaco vs Lens predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: Can Lens earn back-to-back wins?
Lens’ only H2H triumph across their last five meetings with Monaco arrived in May last season, as they comfortably beat the Monegasques 4-0. The hosts last won a home H2H back in September 2023, only their second victory in 10 Ligue 1 H2Hs (D3, L5).
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Monaco preview: Long list of absentees
Monaco’ all three points against Lens will have to do without the likes of nine players, including Paul Pogbs, Ansu Fati, Denis Zakaria, Lukas Hradecky and Eric Dier among others.
Predicted lineup: Kohn (GK), Kehrer, Salisu, Henrique, Fati, Teze, Coulibaly, Ouattara, Akliouche, Golovin & Balogun
Last five matches:
- Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Monaco (UEFA Champions League)
- Monaco 0-1 Paris FC (Ligue 1)
- Nantes 3-5 Monaco (Ligue 1)
- Monaco 1-0 Toulouse (Ligue 1)
- Monaco 0-0 Tottenham (UEFA Champions League)
Lens preview: Ligue 1 top spot in view
Les Sang et Or have only one player missing from their roster: Kyllian Antonio.
Predicted lineup: Risser (GK), Gradit, Baidoo, Sarr, Aguilar, Sangare, Thomasson, Udol, Thauvin, Sotoca & Edouard
Last five matches:
- Lens 3-0 Lorient (Ligue 1)
- Metz 2-0 Lens (Ligue 1)
- Lens 2-1 Marseille (Ligue 1)
- Lens 2-1 Paris FC (Ligue 1)
- Auxerre 1-2 Lens (Ligue 1)
Player to watch: Odsonne Edouard
Edouard is one of Lens' most potent players in offense, with the 27-year-old netting four goals as the club’s top scorer in the top-flight so far this season. He has four goals in his last five appearances, including Lens’ 3-0 win over Lorient last matchday.