AS Monaco begin the fifth round of Ligue 1 McDonalds 2026-2027 as leaders when they host RC Lens at the Stade Louis II on Friday, 18 September 2026 (18:45 GMT). Nasser Eddy, consultant for NCI Sport and presenter of the UEFA Champions League on radio Nostalgie, expects the hosts to prevail in a contest featuring two of France’s most in-form attacking sides.
AS Monaco have been unbeaten in all official competitions this season. They opened the campaign with five successive wins, including two in UEFA Conference League qualifying and three in Ligue 1, before drawing 1-1 away at Strasbourg last weekend.
Filipe Luis’s side have also beaten Olympique de Marseille 2-0 and Paris Saint-Germain 2-1. Paris Brunner has scored five times in all competitions, including three goals in the league and two in the UEFA Conference League, while Lamine Camara has impressed in midfield after a proposed move to the Premier League failed to materialise.
The hosts have taken fewer corners than their opponents in four of their past six competitive matches, but have scored at least once in the second half in five of their six games. The only exception came against Le Havre on the opening weekend. Denis Zakaria’s side are therefore considered favourites.
Lens arrive after a difficult league run. Following a 5-2 victory over AJ Auxerre on the opening day, they have gone three matches without a win, including two consecutive defeats before Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Le Mans. Their recent UEFA Champions League victory at Slavia Prague, secured 3-2 in the closing stages after another dramatic turnaround, provided some relief.
Dino Toppmoller’s team have scored in four of their five official matches this season, failing only against Lorient. They have also won the corner count in each of their past four games. Florian Thauvin has scored four goals in five appearances and captains a side capable of causing Monaco problems.
Head-to-head record and key player
The fixture has regularly produced goals, with at least three scored in 10 of the teams’ past 11 meetings. The exception was a 1-1 draw in September 2024. Across the last 25 encounters, Monaco have 11 wins to Lens’s six, with eight draws. Last season, both teams won away, including Lens’s 4-1 victory at the Stade Louis II.
Lens defender Ismaelio Ganiou, 21, is the player to watch. His maturity and strength have stood out during a difficult start for the club’s defence, and he has been linked with a place in Zinedine Zidane’s first France squad for next week’s FIFA window. After missing the match at Le Mans, he is expected to return at Monaco.
The main 1xBet prices are Monaco to win at 2.23, both teams to score at 1.46 and Lens to win the corner count at 2.1. A 2-1 Monaco victory is priced at 8.5, while Paris Brunner and Florian Thauvin are 2.62 and 3.1 respectively to score at any time.
Odds may change.