Monaco is set to host Lorient at Stade Louis II on Friday for their Ligue 1 clash on matchday 18. The Principality club is looking to recover from a disappointing start to the year after suffering a 3-1 defeat against Lyon, which caused them to drop to ninth place in the league. Conversely, Lorient managed a 1-1 draw with Metz in their opening match of 2026, placing them three spots below Monaco on the table.
Match Preview: Monaco vs Lorient
This matchup comes at a critical juncture for both teams. Monaco has struggled to find form, losing three consecutive league games since their victory over Paris Saint-Germain in December. If they lose again on Friday, it will mark their first four-game losing streak since October 2018.
Lorient, on the other hand, has shown improvement. After a shaky start to their season with three losses in four games, the Brittany club is now unbeaten in their last eight matches across all competitions. They currently sit five points clear of the relegation zone and are looking to maintain momentum.
Recent Form
- Monaco: 1 win, 3 losses in their last four league games
- Lorient: 6 matches unbeaten in all competitions
Historically, Monaco has performed well against Lorient at home, failing to lose in their last six encounters. The last meeting resulted in a 3-1 victory for Monaco in 2023.
Injury Concerns
Monaco will be without several key players due to injuries. Paul Pogba, Takumi Minamino, Mohammed Salisu, and Lukas Hradecky are expected to miss the match. Additionally, Christian Mawissa and Ansu Fati are doubtful due to minor injuries.
Lorient’s injury concerns are minimal, with only Panos Katseris sidelined. Senegalese striker Bamba Dieng is expected to play after scoring in the match against Metz.
Probable Lineups
| Monaco | Lorient |
|---|---|
| Kohn; Kehrer, Dier, Teze; Camara, Zakaria; Akliouche, Biereth, Golovin, Henrique; Balogun | Mvcgo; Silva, Meite, Adjei; Mvuka, Abergel, Cadiou, Le Bris; Dieng, Soumano, Pagis |
Match Prediction
With Monaco struggling to maintain confidence and manage injuries, the match could result in a draw. A scoreline of 1-1 seems plausible as both teams look to secure valuable points.
