Monaco vs Lyon Prediction & Betting Tips (3 January)

A natural candidate for the podium, Monaco will have to regain flawless consistency to achieve this objective. ASM suffered 5 defeats over the last 6 days including at Brest 1-0 and Marseille 1-0 last month and was demoted to 9th position in Ligue 1, 9 points from the top 4. The Principality club at least ensured the essentials before the end of year break by qualifying at Auxerre 1-2 for the round of 16 of the Coupe de France. At the same time, Monaco is paradoxically in the prime of access to the Champions League play-offs thanks to its success obtained in early December against Galatasaray 1-0. Lyon begins 2026 with a series of 3 victories in all competitions.

After retaining the lead in the Europa League standings by dominating Go Ahead Eagles 2-1, OL remained 5th in Ligue 1 thanks to their success against Le Havre 1-0 and did not miss their entry into the Coupe de France, against the amateurs of Saint-Cyr Collonges R1; 3-0. We will have to continue to juggle the three tables and win the matches within our reach to complete the exercise on the podium, which the Rhone club has not done in recent weeks. The Lyonnais have lost valuable points at Auxerre 0-0 and Lorient lost 1-0 since the November break. 

Recent matches between the two sides have consistently tilted in Monaco’s favor, with their last two competitive meetings ending 2–0 to the Principality clubAS USA+1. These games showcased Monaco’s ability to control tempo and exploit Lyon’s defensive fragility, particularly in transitional phases where Lyon’s midfield spacing has repeatedly faltered. Over the past two months, Monaco’s tactical clarity has sharpened, while Lyon’s form has fluctuated, creating a contrast that adds narrative weight to this upcoming fixture. The broader Ligue 1 context also amplifies the stakes, as Monaco continue to chase European ambitions while Lyon attempt to claw their way back into relevance after a difficult start. This dynamic sets the stage for a match defined by contrasting trajectories and the question of whether Lyon can disrupt Monaco’s established superiority.

With all factors considered—recent form, tactical identity, squad stability, and the historical pattern of their latest encounters—the prediction leans toward Monaco asserting themselves once again. Their structured approach, combined with Lyon’s ongoing defensive issues, suggests a match where Monaco’s attacking efficiency will likely prevail. The expected outcome, based on the current competitive landscape and the momentum each side carries into the fixture, is a 3–1 scoreline in favor of Monaco, a result that aligns with their recent dominance and reflects the competitive gap highlighted in their latest meetings. This projection underscores Monaco’s advantage in both form and execution.

• Summary: AS Monaco is going head to head with Olympique Lyonnais starting on 3 Jan 2026 at 16:00 UTC at Stade Louis II stadium, Fontvieille city, Monaco. The match is a part of the Ligue 1 .
• Referee: Jérôme Brisard
• Monaco Feedinco Rating: 6.78
• Lyon Feedinco Rating: 6.86