RC Lens vs. AS Monaco 5/23/21 Ligue 1 Soccer Pick, Odds, and Prediction

RC Lens is welcoming AS Monaco to Stade Bollaert-Delelis in round 38 in the French Ligue 1.

Lens has had some good games lately which has brought them to 6^th place and the Conference League, but they will need a positive result from this game to stay here. Lens has scored 55 and conceded 54 goals, and they are this high in the standings only because other teams are playing inconsistent soccer this season. Lens has cooled off a lot in the recent weeks, and they are on a 3-game losing streak during which they conceded 8 goals while scoring only 1 goal. In their last mats, Lens was playing against Bordeaux on the road, and they were solid with 67% of ball possession, 4 shots on goal, 6 corner kicks, 1 big chance created, and 86% of the correct passes. With 1 conceded goal in the first half, and 2 more late conceded goals in 2^nd half, Lens has lost this match 3-0. Kakuta is the leading goalscorer for Lens with 11 goals but he is still questionable for this match. Clauss has added 6 assists. Diallo, Michelin, and Da Costa are all injured. Lens has really endangered their Europa chances with this 3-game losing streak, but they have another chance in this last round, and it will be a tough one.

Monaco has been one of the most consistent teams in Ligue 1 this season, but unfortunately for them, they couldn’t beat PSG in the French Cup finals earlier this week. Monaco has lost that match 0-2. As far as Ligue 1 goes, Monaco is in 3^rd place with 77 points, and their chances to reach the top are astronomical. PSG would need to lose their games, while Lille would also need to lose their game by a few goals, and Monaco would need to win their game by at least 6 goals, which is highly unlikely. In their last Ligue 1 game against Rennais at home, Monaco has had only 39% of ball possession, 3 shots on goal, 4 corner kicks, 3 big chances created, and 73% of the correct passes. Despite the low possession, Monaco has scored 2 goals in the first half, and they have won this match 2-1. Ben Yedder has scored 20 goals so far this season, while Volland added 16 goals. Golovin has 8 assists. Ben Yedder is injured, but he might be ready for this game. Nobody expected Monaco to be this high in the standings because they are rebuilding their team, and they have a new coach, but they have proven hard work and determination will get you far. Good job Monaco, and I hope they have even better next season.

I know Lens needs a win to stay in the Conference League spot, but so does Monaco to stay in the Champions League spot, and possibly even to get to the 2^nd place. Lens has some injuries, and they are in bad form, and for that reason, I will take Monaco who has a lot more to lose here.