Monaco vs Lille – News and Probable Lineups

Mônaco has an opportunity to reduce the distance to Lille in the race for a Champions League spot as the teams clash in Ligue 1 at Stade Louis II this Sunday.

Following their 2-1 victory over Metz, Les Monegasques have climbed to sixth place, now four points adrift of Lille, who sit fourth after drawing 1-1 with Le Havre at home.

Match overview

Although Mônaco currently holds the chance for European qualification, they cannot afford to lose many more points as the season draws to a close.

With just two matches remaining, Sebastien Pocognoli’s squad is one point ahead of Marseille, who are currently outside the European spots, and only four points separate them from a position in next season’s Champions League qualifying round.

As they prepare for their final home match of the 2025-26 season, the team is enjoying a six-match unbeaten streak at Stade Louis II in this competition.

If they can secure victories in their last two Ligue 1 fixtures, they would achieve at least 60 points for the sixth consecutive season.

The team has won their last three domestic home matches this May, netting a total of 10 goals while conceding just once.

The Principality side has taken points from their last six home encounters against Lille, keeping a clean sheet in three of those matches.

As we approach the final stages of the Ligue 1 season, Lille is finding themselves in a precarious position as they aim for a return to the Champions League.

Bruno Genesio’s side has not secured a win in two of their last three league matches and has dropped four points after taking the lead this year.

Like Mônaco, their margin for error is slim, with just two points separating them from Lyon for an automatic spot in the Champions League’s League Phase, and only two points above Rennes for a place in the qualifying rounds of that tournament.

On the road, Lille has been impressive, winning five consecutive matches in Ligue 1, not conceding a goal in their last two fixtures.

A win on Sunday would mark their tenth away victory in a single league season, a feat not achieved since they clinched the title in 2020-21.

Les Nordistes have managed to beat Mônaco in their last two encounters in this competition, but have not claimed three points at Stade Louis II in Ligue 1 since 2009 (4-0).

Team News

Mohammed Salisu, Takumi Minamino, and Kassoum Ouattara are expected to miss out for Mônaco due to knee injuries. Vanderson is struggling with a thigh strain, and Paris Brunner is dealing with a hamstring issue.

Stanis Idumbo is likely to be sidelined with a shoulder injury, while Caio Henrique may be in contention to start after recovering from his hamstring injury last week.

Folarin Balogun made a return to scoring last week, joining Ansu Fati in finding the net during their comeback victory.

Lille will be missing Marc-Aurele Caillard due to an elbow problem, with Marius Broholm suffering from a leg injury, and Nabil Bentaleb’s status is uncertain due to an infection.

Noah Edjouma is expected to be unavailable for Sunday due to a thigh injury, while Hamza Igamane and Ousmane Toure are out with torn cruciate ligaments.

Hakon Arnar Haraldsson gave Lille a brief lead just after the half-hour mark last Sunday, as the Icelandic midfielder equalized with Matias Fernandez-Pardo for the team’s leading scorer with his eighth league goal.

Mônaco probable starting XI:

Hradecky; Kehrer, Zakaria, Mawissa; Teze, Camara, Pogba, Henrique; Akliouche, Balogun, Golovin

Lille probable starting XI:

Author; Meunier, Ngoy, Mandi, Perraud; Andre, Bouaddi; Mukau, Haraldsson, Correia; Fernandez-Pardo

These two sides possess significant attacking capabilities and have a lot at stake, but ultimately, the form of Balogun may give the home team the edge for a close victory.