On September 18, 2025, the UEFA Champions League group stage begins with an exciting match between Brugge and Monaco. The game will kick off at 18:45 Central European Time. Here’s a look at the teams and a betting option centered on team performance in scoring.
Brugge
Brugge did not win the domestic title last season but started the new season positively by claiming the Supercup after defeating Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. The team had a strong run in Champions League qualifying, beating Salzburg 4-2 on aggregate and then dominating Rangers with a 9-1 score over two legs. However, their league performance has been mixed, with a recent 1-1 draw against Gent and a loss to La Louvière. Currently, Brugge is in fifth place in the league, seven points behind Royale Union.
Last season, Brugge reached the Champions League playoffs but finished 24th in the group stage rankings. They managed to defeat Atalanta in the round of 32 before losing to Aston Villa in the round of 16.
Brugge has a strong home record, remaining unbeaten in their last five official home matches. The last encounter with Monaco at home was during the 2018 Champions League group stage, ending in a 1-1 draw.
Monaco
Monaco finished third in Ligue 1 last season, earning a spot in the Champions League again. They secured 13 points in last year’s group stage but were eliminated in the playoffs by Benfica, losing 4-3 on aggregate.
This season, Monaco is off to a good start in Ligue 1 with three wins in four games; their only loss came against Lille. They currently hold third place with nine points.
The teams have faced each other four times, with Brugge winning twice, Monaco winning once, and one match resulting in a draw. Notably, two of these encounters occurred in 2018, and the other two were in 1988.
Probable lineups
- Brugge: Mignolet, Sabbe, Spileers, Mechele, Meijer, Onyedika, Stankovic, Forbes, Vanaken, Tzolis, Trezoldi.
- Monaco: Kohn, Caio Henrique, Matsima, Dier, Teze, Minamino, Camara, Zakaria, Akliouche, Biret, Balogun.
Key facts and head-to-head stats
- Brugge has won 6 of their last 7 home matches.
- Brugge is unbeaten in 8 of their last 9 games.
- Monaco has won 3 of their last 4 matches.
- 8 of Monaco’s last 9 matches have seen over 2 goals.
- Both teams have scored in 7 of Monaco’s last 8 matches.
Brugge vs Monaco match prediction
Brugge heads into this match in strong form, especially at home, showcasing their consistency. Their performances in last season’s Champions League and this year’s qualifiers have been notable. On the other hand, Monaco has started the season well, demonstrating an attacking style that often leads to goals. Expect an entertaining match with numerous chances, as both teams are capable of scoring. My prediction is over 2.5 goals at odds of 1.64.