Le Mans vs Monaco – News and Probable Lineups

Le Mans will be looking to pull themselves out of the Ligue 1 relegation zone this Sunday when they take on Mônaco at Stade Marie-Mavingt.

A 2-0 loss against Troyes last week has seen MUC72 drop to 17th place in the standings, while Mônaco currently occupy seventh position after suffering a 3-1 defeat against Paris FC.

Match overview

It appears Le Mans has struggled since the season resumed following the October international break.

Prior to the October window, Patrick Videira’s squad had managed to secure points in four of their opening five league matches. However, they now enter this weekend on a four-match winless streak in this competition.

Since October, they have managed just a single point domestically, which has contributed to them occupying the final relegation position leading into this fixture.

Despite their recent poor results, they are only one point behind Angers and the Ligue 1 safety provided at this point, with just three points separating them from Toulouse, who sit 12th.

The team has generally performed better at home in the league this season, securing points in three of those four games, scoring six of their eleven goals at Stade Marie-Mavingt.

Les Mucistes will aim to avoid a second consecutive home defeat in the French top flight, a situation they haven’t experienced since March 2010.

The Mônaco side that started the season strongly has recently shown a dip in form domestically.

Filipe Luis has seen his side drop points in four consecutive Ligue 1 matches, and he has expressed frustration about their performance against Paris FC.

They managed to bounce back midweek, winning 2-0 against Nordsjaelland in the Conference League, maintaining their perfect record in that tournament.

Thursday’s victory made Luis the fifth Ligue 1 head coach to secure five consecutive wins in European competition while managing a French club, becoming only the second to achieve this feat in the 21st century, after Peter Bosz with Lyon in 2021.

On Sunday, Mônaco will look to halt a two-match losing streak on the road in Ligue 1, having scored only once in that span.

Les Monegasques strive to extend their competitive unbeaten run against Le Mans to nine games this weekend, having secured points in their last four away encounters against them.

Team News

Former Mônaco defender Djibril Sidibe may miss another match for Le Mans this weekend due to a foot injury, while Erwan Colas’ availability is uncertain due to a knock.

Adil Bourabaa will be out as the midfielder is still recovering from ankle surgery, with his return expected to be sometime in early 2027.

For Mônaco, Stanis Idumbo is dealing with a knock and might also miss this fixture, while Ansu Fati remains questionable with a hamstring issue.

Folarin Balogun scored his first of the season during their defeat against Paris FC, with Mathys Detourbet and Matthis Abline both finding the net in their Conference League victory on Thursday, marking the first goal for the Manchester City loanee with the Principality club.

Le Mans probable starting XI:

Kocik; Torrente, Yohou, Boisse; Lauray; Vercruysse, Rabillard, Bretelle, Calodat; Mafouta, Diallo

Mônaco probable starting XI:

Hradecky; Vanderson, Teze, Sane, Nazinho; Camara, Zakaria; Coulibaly, Abline, Golovin; Brunner

Mônaco squandered several scoring opportunities in their last Conference League match but should find clearer chances against a Le Mans side that tends to be overly aggressive defensively.