Ligue 1 | Gameweek 33

May 10, 2025 at 8pm UK

Stade Louis II.

Monaco vs Lyon

Match preview

A crucial 3-1 win away to Saint-Etienne last weekend means Monaco remain in contention for a top-four finish and Champions League football next season.

The pressure had been on Monaco after Nice and Strasbourg won at the weekend to leapfrog them, but having done the job themselves, it was a bonus to see Lille and Marseille take points from each other on Sunday night.

Adi Hutter's men sit in third, which would also see them avoid the dreaded qualifying play-off round and go straight into next season's league phase.

It is, however, a devilishly close call, with just two points separating the teams in second through to sixth, and all five clubs currently in good form.

Monaco have kept their end of the bargain, losing just one of their last nine games, and after taking all three points away a week ago, they return to the Principality, where they have also been very strong.

Along with Strasbourg, Monaco are the only other Ligue 1 side still unbeaten on home soil in 2025, and they have been difficult to break down of late, as a clean sheet here would see them record three successive home shutouts for the first time in over three years.

However, no team has beaten Monaco more often in Ligue 1 than Lyon (44 times) and the visitors will be desperate to make amends for a disastrous few weeks that could have ended their season.

After the infamous collapse at Old Trafford, Lyon were beaten by Saint-Etienne in the Rhône-Alpes derby, and a week ago they were beaten at home by Lens.

Paulo Fonseca's men overcame Rennes to make up for that derby defeat, but last week's home slip-up may have ended any hopes of a top-four finish.

Lyon, meanwhile, are seventh and just three points off the top four with two games to go, and will need kind treatment from others and two wins of their own to stand any chance.

Opta's predictor gives OL just 5.8% of finishing in the top four, meaning they are likely to miss out on Champions League football for a sixth successive season - a remarkable statistic considering they have only missed out on UCL qualification three times between 1999 and 2019.

Lyon are guaranteed a top-seven finish, so if Paris Saint-Germain win the Coupe de France, the worst they can hope for next season is a place in the Conference League, but they will be looking for wins against Monaco next week and Angers next, while praying that results elsewhere go their way.

Recent Performance

Monaco Ligue 1 form:WLWDDW

Lyon Ligue 1 form:LWWLWL

Lyon form (all competitions):DWLLWL

Team News

Monaco will have midfielder Lamine Camara available again after he missed last weekend's win at Saint-Etienne through suspension.

However, Camara's place in the starting XI may not be guaranteed, especially after Al Musrati came off the bench to score the goal that put Hutter's side back in front at the Geoffroy-Guichard a week ago.

Mika Biereth could be a big miss for the hosts, however, after being forced off inside 15 minutes, and the Dane could be joined on the sidelines by captain Thilo Kehrer, who did not feature at all last week, and Aleksandr Golovin, who is out with a groin strain.

Lyon will be able to call on Alexandre Lacazette after he served a one-match ban last week, but he will do well to take Georges Mikautadze's place in the XI as the Georgian has found the back of the net in consecutive games, taking his tally to 11 goals and eight assists in his last 12 appearances for club and country.

It is also likely to limit the opportunities for 17-year-old Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez, but the England youth international will be delighted after making his senior debut from the bench a week ago.

Lyon's only injury concern is Ernest Nuamah, who will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL earlier this year.

Possible starting lineup

Monaco possible starting lineup:

Kohn; Teze, Singo, Mawissa, Caio Henrique; Akliouche, Camara, Zakaria, Minamino; Balogun, Embolo

Lyon possible starting lineup:

Lucas Perri; Maitland-Niles, Clinton Mata, Niakhate, Tagliafico; Matic, Tolisso; Cherki, Almada, Fofana;