Monaco go into this game full of confidence after yet another remarkable week. They underlined their status as Europe’s finest attacking side with a 4-0 win at Bordeaux last weekend and followed up with an even more remarkable 7-0 victory over Rennes in the League Cup on Wednesday night. Monaco will play to win and will expect to collect all 3pts. Having averaged more than three goals a game in Ligue 1 this season they will continue to attack should they go ahead. The fact that PSG are arguably their strongest challengers for the Ligue 1 title this season just lost 2-1 at Guingamp on Saturday afternoon will merely motivate them further. Manager Leonardo Jardim has a full squad to pick from. There is competition in a couple of positions as certain back-up players – e.g. Mbappe SS1 – were excellent when rotated into the side for the midweek game against Rennes. But the Starting XI is generally quite settled, with Monaco set to line-up in their usual 4-4-2 formation.
This is a massive game for fifth-placed Lyon. They are aiming for a top-three finish this season and are currently off the pace (8pts behind third-placed PSG with a game in hand). This game therefore represents an excellent chance to take points off one of the sides above them in the table and to close the gap on the podium positions. Lyon are in excellent form: they’ve picked up 18pts from their last six matches (W5-D0-L1). It’s worth noting, however, that their sole defeat during that run came on the only occasion they faced a side currently above them in the standings (PSG). That suggests they may be lacking something against the division’s better teams. Manager Bruno Genesio has close to a full squad to pick from. Reports on Saturday suggest he may draft in France U21 defensive midfielder Tousart to provide the back four with extra protection. Should that happen, it would be a clear sign that Lyon would be happy with a point.
Verdict & Prediction
It’s been another remarkable week for a Monaco side that continue to play dazzling football. Last weekend they ran out 4-0 winners at Bordeaux in Ligue 1 and then produced that startling 7-0 victory over an admittedly under-strength Rennes side in the League Cup on Wednesday night. Monaco will be 100% motivated to win here and will believe they can collect all 3pts even though they face good opposition.
Prediction: Monaco -0.50 AH (same as Monaco to win the match)
Odds: 1.85 Pinnacle
