Monaco Vs Auxerre

Monaco will be looking to extend their perfect home record in 2025 when they host Auxerre at Stade Louis II on Saturday for Matchday 20 of Ligue 1. The Principality club managed a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Rennes last weekend, keeping them in third place in the league standings. In contrast, Auxerre comes into the match sitting in 11th place after drawing 1-1 with Saint-Etienne.

Monaco’s recent win was significant for several reasons. The team had endured a tough period, failing to secure a victory in their previous four Ligue 1 matches before overcoming Rennes. The win was hard-earned, with Monaco showcasing resilience and flair, particularly during the second half when they applied relentless pressure on their opponents. The victory was a much-needed boost for the squad, who had been struggling domestically. In addition, thanks to a surprising loss by Marseille against Nice, Monaco finds themselves just three points behind second-place Marseille, reigniting their hopes of finishing high in the table.

One key area of concern for Monaco, however, has been their defensive frailties. Over the past four matches, Monaco have conceded 10 goals, a tally they had previously allowed in their last 10 Ligue 1 matches. This defensive instability has contributed to a series of underwhelming results. The situation worsened when they were thrashed 3-0 by Inter Milan in the Champions League, further exposing weaknesses at the back. Adi Hutter, the manager, will be hoping for a significant improvement in defense, as his team prepares for a critical stretch of the season. Historically, Monaco has been much more consistent in the latter half of Ligue 1 seasons, having only lost two games between matchdays 20 and the end of the season in their previous top-flight campaign. That strong finish, which saw the team secure 10 victories, gives Hutter and his players hope that they can turn their season around.

Monaco’s home form against newly-promoted teams has been somewhat inconsistent in recent seasons, with only two wins from their last five matches in this scenario. They will be wary of the possibility of losing back-to-back games to newly promoted teams, a feat they haven't experienced since May-July 2001. The team was defeated 1-0 by Angers in November 2024, which could add extra pressure on them to avoid another slip-up at home. However, Monaco will also take confidence from their recent strong record against Auxerre in Ligue 1, winning the last three encounters. With a win on Saturday, they could match their best-ever winning streak against Auxerre, which stands at four consecutive victories between 1998 and 2000.

On the other hand, Auxerre's season has taken a downturn after an impressive start. The Burgundy side had a solid opening to their Ligue 1 campaign, but since then, they have struggled to maintain that momentum. Auxerre is currently on an eight-match winless streak across all competitions, a run that has seen them fail to claim victory in their last seven Ligue 1 matches. This winless streak is the second-longest active run in the competition, with only Reims experiencing a worse spell. Despite their recent struggles, Auxerre have often shown resilience, particularly when they have scored first, but their failure to capitalize on early leads has cost them valuable points. In fact, the team has dropped four points in Ligue 1 this season after taking the lead in games they ultimately did not win.

One of the major challenges for Auxerre has been their poor form away from home. They have won only one of their eight Ligue 1 matches on the road, a 3-1 victory at Marseille. This highlights a significant weakness, and it will be a tough ask for them to come away from Stade Louis II with any points. The team has suffered six defeats on their travels, underlining their struggles away from Stade Abbe-Deschamps. Despite these challenges, Auxerre's position in the league is still relatively strong compared to their last top-flight campaign. They currently have 23 points, which is 10 more than they had at this stage of the previous season. This improvement is a positive sign, and Christophe Pelissier’s side will be hoping to build on this foundation to avoid a relegation battle in the second half of the season.

For Auxerre, the historical context of their recent meetings with Monaco is not promising. The Burgundy club has not won a Ligue 1 match in Monaco since December 2009, when they secured a 1-0 victory in the Principality. Since then, Monaco has been the dominant force in this fixture, winning the majority of the encounters between the two sides. Auxerre's record at Stade Louis II has been poor, and they will need to produce something special to break their long winless streak in Monaco.

Overall, the upcoming match between Monaco and Auxerre promises to be an intriguing contest. Monaco will be determined to maintain their perfect home record in 2025 and continue their push for a top-two finish, while Auxerre will be desperate to end their winless run and show that they can compete away from home. Both teams have plenty to play for, and it should make for an exciting and closely contested match. While Monaco’s recent form suggests they will be favorites, Auxerre will be hoping to pull off an upset and show that they have the potential to compete with the best teams in Ligue 1.

Monaco's task will be to shore up their defense and maintain their attacking threat, which has been one of their strengths this season. With a talented squad and a strong home record, they will be confident of securing a positive result. Auxerre, meanwhile, will need to find a way to replicate their early-season form and take advantage of any opportunities that come their way. If they can improve their away form and learn from their mistakes in recent weeks, they could make things difficult for Monaco.

In conclusion, this Ligue 1 fixture between Monaco and Auxerre holds significant importance for both teams as they look to achieve their respective goals for the remainder of the season. For Monaco, a win would not only help them maintain their position near the top of the table but also build confidence ahead of a crucial part of the campaign. For Auxerre, securing a positive result would be a major boost to their survival hopes and a sign that they can perform well away from home. As the match approaches, all eyes will be on Stade Louis II to see which team can come out on top.