Monaco begin their 2025/26 Ligue 1 campaign at the Stade Louis II on Saturday with a clash against Le Havre, as Adi Hütter’s side look to mount another challenge at the top end of French football. After securing a return to the Champions League, Les Monegasques enter the new season with renewed ambition, while their visitors are bracing for another survival battle.
Match Preview
The story of French football in recent years has been Paris Saint-Germain’s relentless dominance, with Monaco, Marseille, Lille, and Nice left to jostle for the title of “best of the rest.” Last season, Monaco finished third in Ligue 1, just one point ahead of Nice and Lille, a narrow but crucial advantage that guaranteed them a place in the new Champions League league phase.
With elite European competition awaiting later this month, Monaco prepared with an intense pre-season schedule of eight matches, winning five, drawing two, and losing only once—against Champions League runners-up Inter Milan. Importantly, their home form remains a stronghold: they are unbeaten in eight straight Ligue 1 matches at the Stade Louis II, the longest active run in the division.
For Le Havre, the story is very different. Long-time Ligue 2 contenders, they are preparing for a third successive season in the top flight. Didier Digard successfully guided them to another 15th-place finish last term, surviving by just four points. Their final-day win over Strasbourg, courtesy of a 99th-minute Abdoulaye Touré penalty, ensured safety in dramatic fashion.
However, their summer form raises concerns. Le Havre failed to win any of their five pre-season matches, recording three defeats and two draws. Still, they travel to Monaco with some hope: they have lost just one of their last five Ligue 1 meetings against Les Monegasques and boast one of the strongest away records in France this calendar year, with 17 points on the road—second only to PSG’s 22.
Team News
Monaco
Adi Hütter’s side will be without Soungoutou Magassa, who is suspended following a red card in the final match of last season. Paul Pogba remains sidelined as he continues his long road back to full fitness, while on-loan Barcelona attacker Ansu Fati is also not yet ready to feature.
New signing Lukas Hradecky, the experienced goalkeeper from Bayer Leverkusen, is expected to make his competitive debut between the posts. Up front, Folarin Balogun and Mika Biereth should form the attacking partnership.
Le Havre
Head coach Didier Digard will serve a touchline ban due to an accumulation of yellow cards, leaving his assistant to oversee matters from the dugout. On the pitch, young striker Elysee Logbo is unavailable with a shoulder injury, but new signing Ally Samatta—the former Aston Villa forward—should lead the line.
Full-backs Loïc Nego and Thomas Delaine provide experience on either flank, while Touré, Ndiaye, and Namli anchor the midfield.
Predicted Lineups
Monaco (4-4-2):
Hradecky; Vanderson, Dier, Kehrer, Henrique; Golovin, Zakaria, Camara, Akliouche; Balogun, Biereth
Le Havre (4-4-2):
Diaw; Nego, Sangante, Kinkoue, Delaine; Namli, Touré, Ndiaye, Kechta; Soumare, Samatta
Prediction
Monaco come into this opener full of confidence, with a strong summer behind them and a squad bolstered by key reinforcements. Le Havre, meanwhile, struggled throughout pre-season and face the daunting prospect of breaking down one of Ligue 1’s most resilient home sides.
We predict: Monaco 3-0 Le Havre
Les Monegasques should have too much quality for their visitors and are likely to kick off the season with a comfortable victory at the Stade Louis II.