AS Monaco strengthened their grip on a UEFA Champions League qualification spot with a confident 3-1 victory over Saint-Étienne last weekend, but the job is far from finished. With just two matches remaining and a razor-thin cushion separating them from the chasing pack—three teams trail by only a single point—the pressure is on. Now sitting third in Ligue 1, just one point behind second-placed Marseille, Monaco are hoping to replicate last season’s impressive ‘best of the rest’ finish behind perennial champions PSG.
Heading into this clash against Lyon, Monaco appear well-positioned. The Monégasques are unbeaten at home in the league throughout 2024 (W6, D1), and while their most recent fixture at the Stade Louis II ended in a frustrating goalless draw against Strasbourg, they now have the opportunity to post three consecutive home clean sheets in Ligue 1 for the first time since February 2022—a streak that notably included a shutout against Lyon.
In contrast, Lyon’s Champions League hopes are on the ropes. Last weekend’s 2-1 loss to Lens dropped them to seventh place and put their fate largely in the hands of others. Paulo Fonseca’s side has hit a rough patch at the worst possible moment, losing two of their last three league matches—equaling the total number of defeats they had in their previous nine outings (W7).
History suggests fireworks in this fixture, as the last 19 head-to-head Ligue 1 encounters between these sides have all produced a winner (Lyon: W12, L7). That trend may well continue, especially considering Lyon haven’t drawn any of their last six away matches in the league (W3, L3). The odds favor entertainment over deadlock, with both teams scoring in eight of Lyon’s last nine away league games (W3, D1, L5).
Players to Watch:
Monaco’s Folarin Balogun has developed a reputation for impact in high-scoring affairs—each of his last 15 Ligue 1 goals across clubs came in games where both teams found the net. Lyon’s Georges Mikautadze, meanwhile, has become a late-game threat, scoring after the 75th minute in both of his last two matches. Remarkably, all of his last five league goals have come after the 50th minute.
Hot Stat:
Lyon have netted a league-high 21 goals after the 75th minute in Ligue 1 this season, underlining their threat in the dying stages of matches.
