The Ligue 1 round 17 match between Monaco and Lyon will take place on 3 january at Stade Louis II in Fontvieille. Monaco vs Lyon: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Monaco
Monaco endured a disastrous period from November to December in the championship, losing five of six matches. Interestingly, the only victory in the past two months came against PSG (1:0). The club enters the upcoming meeting after two away defeats, both by the same scoreline of 0:1 to Brest and Marseille. It is worth noting that Monaco has not failed to score in two consecutive Ligue 1 matches since April 2023. The new year begins with the team in a modest ninth position, and the gap to the Champions League zone is already huge — nine points. In addition, it is worth adding that the last time Monaco had seven defeats and a negative goal difference after 16 rounds was in the 2019/20 season.
- The club has failed to score more than one goal in six previous Ligue 1 matches.
- In the last 16 home league matches Monaco lost only twice (12 wins and 2 draws).
- At least three goals were scored in 12 of the previous 17 Monaco home matches in Ligue 1.
Potential Monaco Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Lukash Gradecki – Caio Henrique, Tilo Kehrer, Vanderson de Oliveira, Mohammed Salisu – Denis Zakaria, Lamin Kamara – Aleksandr Golovin, Takumi Minamino, Magn Akliush – Folarin Balogun.
At the national team camp: midfielders Lamin Kamara and Krepin Diatta. Midfielder Takumi Minamino is out due to injury. There is no certainty yet about the return date of midfielder Paul Pogba. Midfielder Denis Zakaria will miss the match due to suspension.
Lyon
The team finished the previous year with a home victory over Le Havre (1:0). That was the second consecutive home league win (previously against Nantes); at the same time the team did not beat anyone in the previous seven matches (three draws and two defeats). Paulo Fonseca’s side occupy fifth place in the table, and the gap to the Champions League zone is five points. It is also worth noting that the club concedes on average one goal per game, which is the fourth-best figure in Ligue 1.
- At least one team failed to score in five of Lyon's previous six league matches.
- Lyon cannot win away in five consecutive Ligue 1 matches (three draws and two defeats).
- The club has failed to score more than one goal in eight of the last 10 away league matches.
Potential Lyon Lineup (4-1-2-3)*
Dominik Greif – Abner Vinicius, Clinton Mata, Moussa Niakate, Hans Hatebur – Tyler Morton – Halis Merah, Corentin Tolisso – Pavel Schulz, Afonso Moreira, Martin Satriano.
Defenders Moussa Niakate and Clinton Mata are at the Africa Cup of Nations. Midfielder Tanner Tessmann and forwards Ernest Nuamah and Malik Fofana are out injured. Also note the first transfer — forward Endrick was loaned from Real Madrid.
Referee
Jerome Brisard (France)
Matches – 9 (the Ligue 1, 2025/26);
Yellow Cards Shown (Including Second Yellows) – 41;
Average Yellow Cards Per Match – 4.6;
Red Cards Shown – 4;
Fouls Average Per Match – 25;
Penalties – 22%.
Monaco Vs Lyon: Match Prediction
Sebastian Pocognoli’s side frankly had a disastrous end to last year and have predictably fallen out of contention for a Champions League finish. This largely occurred due to poor finishing of created chances; after all, the team has not managed to score at least two goals in any of the last six Ligue 1 matches. Moreover, even at home the team has not managed more than one goal in four consecutive league matches.
Lyon have one of the best defenses in Ligue 1 and, judging by form, will not allow the hosts to score more than one goal. It is also worth noting that this was the case in four of Lyon's previous league matches. At the same time, in the last three away Ligue 1 matches the club conceded only one goal. Therefore, taking all of the above into account, we suggest the prediction — Monaco Under 1.5 goals.
Prediction: Monaco Under 1.5 goals
* The starting lineup shown for each team is from its previous match in this competition.
