Monaco – Lorient: emergency at ASM, hope for the Merlus 
Ligue 1 kicks back off Friday at the Stade Louis‑II, where Monaco host Lorient for matchday 18. Monaco opened 2026 with a pasting by Lyon (1-3) and have tumbled to ninth. Lorient, on the other hand, nicked a draw at Metz and arrive in the Principality with much better momentum.
Monaco: the downward spiral continues 
New year, same problems. Since that upset of PSG in December, Monaco have collapsed: three straight defeats, and a fourth on Friday would be the first time that’s happened since 2018. It’s ugly: six losses in seven Ligue 1 matches, seven points off Europe, and a side that can’t control a game from start to finish. At home it’s barely better: eight goals conceded in the last three defeats at the Louis‑II, and the real risk of losing back‑to‑back home games for the second time this season. One stat says it all: Monaco win when they score first… but that’s only happened four times since August. The only bright spot? Monaco haven’t lost at home to Lorient in six meetings, last winning 3-1 in 2023.
Lorient: an unexpected but very real revival 
Everyone expected another grim season. Instead Lorient have turned it around, slowly and surely. After three defeats in the first four rounds, the Merlus now arrive on a six‑game unbeaten run in Ligue 1. Olivier Pantaloni has found a working formula: discipline, rapid transitions and a group that fights to the last minute. In all competitions they’re eight games without defeat, and crucially four away matches unbeaten, winning the last two — 10 goals scored, 1 conceded. On Friday they can do something they haven’t done since 2023: pick up points in their first two matches of a new year. And yes, Lorient can complete the double over Monaco after that 3-1 win in September.
Likely line-ups
Monaco:
Kohn ; Kehrer, Dier, Teze ; Camara, Zakaria ; Akliouche, Biereth, Golovin, Henrique ; Balogun
Lorient:
Mvogo ; Silva, Meite, Adjei ; Mvuka, Abergel, Cadiou, Le Bris ; Dieng, Soumano, Pagis
Key takeaways
- Monaco have lost six of their last seven Ligue 1 games.
- Lorient are on an eight‑match unbeaten run in all competitions.
- The Merlus have a 10-1 aggregate on their last two away trips.
- Monaco haven’t lost at home to Lorient in six meetings.
Football Prediction Monaco vs Lorient
Both teams to score
Confidence has drained from Monaco; they struggle to set the tempo and to stay solid at the back. Lorient, meanwhile, play with freedom and bring positive momentum. Hard to imagine a low‑scoring affair: both teams have more than enough to find the net.
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