Monaco aim to keep their Champions League aspirations intact as they host a Lyon team that seems to have fallen out of contention at the Stade Louis II in Ligue 1 this Saturday evening.
With only two matches remaining, Lyon appear to have left themselves with too steep a challenge to reach the top four, while Monaco hold a strong position going into the weekend.
A crucial 3-1 victory against Saint-Etienne last weekend has kept Monaco in a favorable spot to secure a top-four finish and earn a Champions League berth for next season.
Monaco faced mounting pressure after Nice and Strasbourg claimed wins earlier in the weekend to overtake them, but their own success, combined with Lille and Marseille drawing points from each other on Sunday, provided a welcome boost.
Under Adi Hutter, Monaco sit third, a position that would bypass the challenging qualifying playoff and send them directly to the league phase next season.
The race remains tight, with just two points separating the teams from second to sixth, all of whom are currently performing well.
Monaco have been consistent, losing only once in their last nine matches, and after securing a win away last week, they return to their home turf, where they’ve been formidable.
Alongside Strasbourg, Monaco are the only Ligue 1 side yet to lose at home in 2025, and their defense has been solid, with a chance to achieve three consecutive home clean sheets for the first time in over three years.
Yet, Lyon have historically been a tough opponent, defeating Monaco more times (44) than any other team in Ligue 1, and they’ll be eager to recover from a rough patch that may have derailed their campaign.
Following a dramatic collapse at Old Trafford, Lyon suffered losses in the Derby Rhone-Alpes to Saint-Etienne and at home to Lens last week.
Though Paulo Fonseca’s squad bounced back with a strong win over Rennes after the derby loss, their recent home defeat may have extinguished any remaining hopes of a top-four finish.
With two games left, Lyon sits in seventh place, three points outside the top four, and needs two victories plus favors from other teams to have a chance.
A Conference League spot at worst awaits Lyon next season if Paris Saint-Germain wins the Coupe de France, but they will be hoping for victories over Monaco and Angers next week while hoping for favorable outcomes elsewhere. Lyon is assured of finishing in the top seven.
