Prediction: Monaco vs Lille

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

In what is a heavyweight Ligue 1 showdown on Friday night, Monaco will welcome Lille to the Stade Louis II.

Monaco

Starting with the hosts, springing an upset last season as they secured a silver medal finish among France’s elite, Monaco have once again continued on a sensational domestic flurry this time around. Last seen heading into October’s international break with a stellar 2-1 victory away at Rennes, Ali Hutter’s men find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Embarking on what has quickly become a real fairytale, the Monegasques are rightfully seen as PSG’s main title rival this season. Likewise, getting their Champions League adventure underway with a famous 2-1 win against Spanish icons Barcelona, Monaco are riding a sensational wave of momentum. Marking their return from October’s fortnight interval leading the chase at the top of the Ligue 1 table, Friday’s hosts have registered 19 points from their first seven appearances against top-flight opposition.

Team News

Yet to make a single appearance across any competition so far this season, Monaco will once again be without the services of 20-year-old Edan Diop on Friday night. Likewise, still dealing with a long-term knee issue, academy graduate Mamadou Coulibaly remains on the sidelines.

Withdrawing from Switzerland’s squad last week, Monaco are hopeful that skipper and former Chelsea loanee Denis Zakaria will be able to play some part here. Finding the net in each of his final three consecutive Ligue 1 appearances prior to October’s international break, ex-Arsenal youngster Florian Balogun will lead Hutter’s charge.

Lille

As for the visitors, while Lille might have opened the new campaign in the midst of a worrying blip, the Mastiffs have come roaring back in some style. Collecting their own remarkable Spanish scalp on October 10th as they clinched a 1-0 win against defending European champions Real Madrid, Bruno Genesio’s men have their sights firmly set on snapping up another top-four finish this season. Heading into October’s international break with a 2-1 victory at home against Toulouse, the former Rennes boss will be calling on his squad to carry on from where they left off earlier in the month. In fact, Friday’s guests have won each of their previous three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 6-1. Starting to skyrocket their way up the Ligue 1 standings, Lille should be relishing what will be a real challenge here.

Team News

Lille will once again be without the services of former Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb this weekend. Likewise, yet to make a single appearance this season, ex-Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti remains on the sidelines and will play no part here.

Although attacking talisman Jonathan David might have featured for Canada over the past week, the 24-year-old will feature from the start on Friday night. Rewarded with a third England cap last weekend, one-time Manchester United starlet Angel Gomes will start at the heart of Lille’s midfield.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Monaco and Lille last met back on April 24th, Friday’s hosts collected a 1-0 victory at the Stade Louis II.
• Lille have failed to win any of their previous five consecutive trips to Monaco.
• Hutter’s side have collected 19 points from just their opening seven Ligue 1 appearances this season.
• Lille have won each of their previous three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 6-1.
• Former Arsenal youngster Florian Balogun has found the net in each of his previous three Ligue 1 appearances.

Conclusion

Enjoying what has become a sensational purple patch this season and marking their return from October’s international break leading the chase at the top of the Ligue 1 standings, Monaco will be looking to lay down another marker here. However, watching Lille turn a major corner before the fortnight interval, Friday’s guests will simply be hoping to carry on from where they left off earlier in the month. Two sides who find the respective moods in their camps at a real high, we could be treated to an enjoyable showdown this weekend.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Olympusbet