Lens v Monaco: leaders' title push meets top-half chase | OneFootball

Lens host Monaco in Ligue 1 at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Saturday, 21 February 2026, with the leaders aiming to stay clear at the summit and the visitors looking to push up from eighth.

Lens and Monaco have traded heavy wins in recent meetings, with Lens winning 4-0 at home in May 2025 and Monaco responding 4-1 in November 2025. That swing frames a high-stakes clash at the top end of the division.

Lens arrive in stride after four wins from five in the league, including a 5-0 away victory at Paris FC and home successes against Rennes and Le Havre. Monaco's recent run mixed a 4-0 win over Rennes and a 3-1 defeat of Nantes with stalemates at Nice and Le Havre.

Monaco are without Aleksandr Golovin and Vanderson through suspension, while Takumi Minamino and Mohammed Salisu are among the injured list. Lens have defensive absentees, including Jonathan Gradit and Samson Baidoo.

Lens' season profile is robust: 42 goals scored, only 17 conceded and nine clean sheets, with just five goals allowed at home across 11 league games. In attack, Wesley Saïd leads their league scoring with 10, supported by Odsonne Édouard on eight and Florian Thauvin on six. Monaco have scored 35 but conceded 34. Folarin Balogun, Maghnes Akliouche and Simon Adingra could carry the visiting threat in transition.

Top play meets ambition: a Lens win would strengthen their grip on first place, while Monaco could edge closer to the European conversation from eighth.