Monaco can return to the top of Ligue 1, at least temporarily, with victory or a draw against Lens at the Stade Louis-II on Friday evening.
A 1-1 draw with Strasbourg last weekend dropped Monaco to second, behind Lille on goal difference. Lens are 10th after being held to a 2-2 draw by Le Mans.
For Monaco, it was the first time they had dropped points under new manager Filipe Luis. They can nevertheless remain unbeaten after their opening five Ligue 1 matches for the second time in three seasons.
The Principality club have conceded only two goals, giving them the joint-best defence in the division, while their average of 0.5 goals conceded per game is the league’s best.
Monaco can also extend their unbeaten home league run in September to six matches. Their last defeat at the Stade Louis-II during the month came against local rivals Nice in 2023, when they lost 1-0.
They have not lost a domestic match this season after conceding first, taking four points from those situations. Monaco are also seeking consecutive competitive victories against Lens in the same calendar year for the first time since 2014.
Lens, meanwhile, are undergoing a period of change. Dino Toppmoller left the club by mutual consent this week after only four Ligue 1 matches, with the team conceding at least two goals in each of their league games this season. Yannick Cahuzac has taken charge of a side unbeaten in their past two matches in all competitions.
Lens recovered from two goals down to draw with Le Mans, having also come from behind twice to beat Slavia Prague on the opening matchday of the Champions League.
The Racing club had the second-best defence in the league last season but have focused more on attacking in 2026-2027, scoring eight goals – the second-highest total in Ligue 1. Their finishing remains a concern, however, with Lens having missed 15 big chances, the most in the division.
Lens have lost only one of their past six visits to Monaco, including a 4-1 victory last season.
Team news and predicted line-ups
Takumi Minamino is expected to miss out again for Monaco because of a cruciate ligament injury. Ansu Fati has a calf problem, while Anis Sobeir is struggling with an ankle issue. Folarin Balogun, last season’s leading scorer, could be absent again after taking a knock, and Edan Diop has a thigh strain. Jordan Teze and Mamadou Coulibaly are doubts.
Paris Brunner has scored three Ligue 1 goals this season and is second in the scoring charts after finding the net on matchday four.
Monaco’s predicted XI: Hradecky; Vanderson, Dier, Salisu, Nazinho; Camara, Zakaria; Detourbet, Abline, Golovin; Brunner.
Lens could be without Jhoanner Chavez and Yacine Titraoui because of thigh injuries. Regis Gurtner and Samson Baidoo are doubts with hamstring problems, while Maik Nawrocki continues his rehabilitation from a cruciate ligament injury. Saud Abdulhamid is also doubtful after suffering a knock. Souleymane Sangnan returns from suspension.
Abdallah Sima and Franjo Ivanovic both scored on matchday four, with Sima claiming his first Ligue 1 goal of the season.
Lens’ predicted XI: Risser; Gradit, Antonio, Udol; Aguilar, Haidara, Bulatovic, Hazard; Thauvin, Sima; Ivanovic.
The prediction is for a narrow Monaco win, with a 2-1 scoreline. Monaco are priced at 1.98 to win, over 2.5 goals at 1.42 and Paris Brunner to score at 2.30. The exact-score pick of 2-1 is priced at 7.75 with Betclic.
Monaco’s Ligue 1 form: W W W D Monaco’s overall form: W W W W W D Lens’ Ligue 1 form: W L L D Lens’ overall form: W W L L W D