Monaco vs Lorient Prediction & Betting Tips (16 January)

Monaco is in a storm at the end of the first leg of the Championship. Beaten at the end of the year in Brest 1-0 and Marseille 1-0, ASM started the year 2026 with a third defeat in a row in the year, the 6th in 7 matches, against Lyon 1-3. This series of poor performances makes it 9th in the ranking, 9 points from the podium. Since its fall against Lyon, the Principality club has qualified for the round of 16 of the Coupe de France by defeating Orléans N1; 1-3.  Lorient 12th was the good surprise of the first half of the season.

Winner in particular of Nice 3-1 and Lyon 1-0 at the end of the year, the promoted team followed up, two weeks ago against Metz 1-1, a sixth consecutive match without defeat in the Championship. He took a serious option to maintain, ahead of the first relegation by 7 points. Les Merlus also added successes in the Coupe de France against Gosier R1 Guadeloupe; 0-7 and Hauts Lyonnais N3; 1-3 on their results grid. They will therefore be there for the round of 16. 

Between suspensions, injuries or absences linked to the CAN, Monaco is decimated at the opening of the return phase. Executives Camara and Diatta should not be in the game even in the event of Senegal's elimination at the CAN in the middle of the week, the valuable Kehrer (defender) and the young shoots Idumbo and Coulibaly are suspended while several holders are kept in the infirmary. This includes goalkeeper Hradecky, defenders Vanderson, Salisu and Mawissa, star summer recruits Fati (5 goals in L1) and Pogba and offensive asset Minamino (3 goals, 2 assists in L1) whose season is already over. The arrival at the club of central Faes (on loan from Leicester) is very good news for the coach, who could use him this Friday to consolidate a decimated defensive sector. Scorer in Orléans, Balogun (8 goals including 5 in L1) will be present and continues to carry Monaco. Lorient cannot a priori count on the piston Katseris (3 L1 matches) and the defenders Faye (starter) and Touré (no matches), all recovering.

The coach also risks having to deal without midfielder Cadiou (substitute), versatile defender Yongwa (piston or central, holder) and Tosin (3 goals in L1). The last two returned injured from the CAN. Soumano (4 goals in L1) is uncertain. The renewed form of Bamba Dieng, author of 6 goals in the last 3 matches in all competitions, is good news for this Lorient team. 

• Summary: AS Monaco is going head to head with Lorient starting on 16 Jan 2026 at 18:00 UTC at Stade Louis II stadium, Fontvieille city, Monaco. The match is a part of the Ligue 1 .
• Referee: Willy Delajod
• Monaco Feedinco Rating: 6.77
• Lorient Feedinco Rating: 6.74