Lens vs Monaco prediction, H2H and probable lineups — 17 May 2025
On May 17, 2025, the Bollaert-Delelis Stadium in Lens will host a Round 34 Ligue 1 clash between Lens and Monaco. I don't expect either team to let us down in terms of entertainment in this encounter.
Lens
Since their return to the French top flight in the 2020/21 season, Lens are experiencing arguably their weakest campaign in recent years. Over the past four seasons, they've consistently been among the league's front-runners, never finishing lower than seventh. In fact, in 2022/23, Lens claimed Ligue 1 silver medals, marking their best finish in decades. However, under Will Still this season, they are unable to replicate such a feat—heading into the final matchday, eighth place is the highest they can achieve.
This season, Lens focused exclusively on domestic competitions, but failed to make a significant impact in either the Coupe de France or Ligue 1. Like their upcoming opponent, Lens were knocked out of the national cup by future finalists Paris Saint-Germain as early as the Round of 64, also losing on penalties.
If there’s something the "Blood and Gold" can be proud of, it’s one of the league’s best defenses. Over 33 matches, they've conceded just 39 goals—the fourth-best record in Ligue 1. However, their home form has been far from ideal: in their last nine home fixtures, Lens have won only three, losing the other six. As the campaign draws to a close, Lens have become more uncompromising, no longer settling for draws—each match now ends in either victory or defeat. Of their last 18 games, only the most recent, away at Toulouse (1-1), finished level.
Monaco
Thanks to a confident 2-0 win over Lyon last round, and slip-ups from their direct Champions League rivals, Adi Hütter’s side have secured a spot in Europe's premier club competition for next season with time to spare. Monaco also remain in the hunt for second place, trailing Marseille by just one point. For that to happen, however, the Provençal side must drop points in the final round.
Overall, Monaco have enjoyed a solid season, especially considering their participation in three competitions. The Coupe de France was the least successful, with Monaco bowing out in the Round of 16 after a penalty shootout defeat to eventual finalists Reims. Prior to that, Hütter’s men had only cleared one hurdle, starting their campaign from the Round of 64.
In the Champions League, which adopted a new format this season, Monaco finished 17th out of 36 in the league phase, which was enough to reach the playoffs. However, they exited at the first knockout stage, losing to Benfica 4-3 on aggregate.
In Ligue 1, Monaco head into the final stretch in good shape—unbeaten in five matches, with three wins and two draws. However, their away record leaves much to be desired: by points collected on the road, Monaco are only sixth-best in Ligue 1.
Probable lineups
- Lens: Rayan, Pouille, Gradit, Ba, Medina, Machado, Thomasson, Mendy, El Aynaoui, Diouf, Koyalipou
- Monaco: Köhn, Teze, Singo, Kehrer, Caio Henrique, Akliouche, Zakaria, Camara, Minamino, Embolo, Biereth
Match facts and H2H
- Only once in the last eight head-to-head meetings between these teams did the "over 2.5 goals" bet not win.
- The first-round match ended in a 1-1 draw at Monaco's ground.
- The "both teams to score" bet landed in Monaco’s last three away games.
- In Lens’ last seven home matches, "both teams to score" came through just once.
Prediction
With both teams relaxed and nothing at stake in terms of league position, we can expect a free-flowing game with plenty of attacking play and little defensive caution. The head-to-head stats also point to high-scoring affairs. Considering all this, our tip is "total over 3.0 goals" at odds of 1.74.
