The Matchday 23 Ligue 1 fixture between Lens and Monaco will take place on 21 February at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. Lens vs Monaco: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Lens
The team reclaimed top spot in the standings after last round. The club, playing away from home, thrashed Paris 5:0, while in the other match Paris Saint-Germain lost to Rennes (1:3). As a result, Lens are once again one point clear of their main rivals. The team are also on a three-match winning run in the league, with a goal difference of 9:1 during that spell. The club also lead Ligue 1 for the fewest goals conceded, with just 17 allowed.
- The team have won 11 of their last 12 league matches.
- Lens have scored at least twice in 8 of their last 12 Ligue 1 games.
- The club are on a 10-match winning run at home in the league.
Potential Lens Lineup (3-4-2-1)*
Robin Risser – Malang Sarr, Pierre Ganiou, Nidal Celik – Adrien Thomasson, Mamadou Sangare, Mathieu Udol, Saud Abdulhamid – Wesley Said, Florian Thauvin – Odsonne Edouard.
Regis Gurtner is sidelined through injury, along with defenders Samson Baidoo and Jonathan Gradit.
Monaco
Monaco hosted Nantes last round and won 3:1. It was their second straight home victory in the league – earlier they thrashed Rennes (4:0). Between those wins, the club played out two goalless draws away from home in Ligue 1. It is also worth noting that the team have managed to go four consecutive Ligue 1 matches unbeaten for the second time this season, although the club have not put together a run of at least five league games without defeat since May last year. Monaco sit eighth, three points off the top six.
- Monaco have failed to win 6 of their last 8 Ligue 1 matches (2 draws and 4 defeats).
- Monaco have not scored in their last four away league games.
- The club have not won five straight away matches in Ligue 1 (2 draws and 3 defeats).
Potential Monaco Lineup (4-3-2-1)*
Philipp Kohn – Vanderson de Oliveira, Thilo Kehrer, Wout Faes, Caio Henrique – Lamine Camara, Denis Zakaria, Maghnes Akliouche – Simon Adingra, Aleksandr Golovin – Folarin Balogun.
Monaco are without goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky through injury, along with midfielders Pape Cabral, Paul Pogba and Takumi Minamino, plus defenders Kassoum Ouattara, Christian Mawissa, Mohammed Salisu and Eric Dier. Midfielder Aleksandr Golovin is unavailable due to suspension.
Referee
Willy Delajod (France)
Matches – 11 (Ligue 1, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 29;
Yellow cards per match – 2.6;
Red cards shown – 3;
Fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 45%.
Lens vs Monaco: Match Prediction
The hosts clearly deserve to go on and win the league title this season. After 22 rounds they have as many as 17 victories, with even Paris Saint-Germain having one win fewer. In their last two matches, Lens not only recorded convincing wins, but scored eight goals in the process. It is also worth adding that Pierre Sage's side kept a clean sheet in 5 of their previous 7 Ligue 1 fixtures.
With such a strong attack, as well as the best defence in the league, it will be difficult for Monaco to cope. Across their previous 12 league matches, Monaco have recorded only three wins, and all of them came at home. Away from home, the team have collected just two points from their last five league games and have scored only once. Monaco failed to find the net even against Nice, Le Havre and Brest, opponents who sit in the bottom half of the table. So we should not expect them to score against the league leaders. On top of that, Lens have beaten this opponent in the last two head-to-head meetings by an aggregate score of 8:1.
Prediction: Lens to win
* For each team, the starting XI listed is the lineup from their most recent match in this competition.
