Just one point separated Lille and Monaco in the Ligue 1 table last term but there may be a bigger gap in the new campaign after Les Dogues lost so many star players.
That single point proved a lucrative one for Monaco as it booked their place in the Champions League while Lille had to settle for the Europa League instead.
Les Monegasques have made some eye-catching signings this summer in a bid to help them make a better fist of a title challenge, with Paul Pogba's return from a doping ban dominating the headlines.
Pogba still isn't fit enough to return but Monaco managed fine without him last weekend as they beat Le Havre 3-1, bringing up a bet for me in the process.
Lille away from home is a far bigger test of their credentials, with Bruno Genesio's side claiming some big scalps in the Champions League last season.
But the spine has been ripped out of their side, with star striker Jonathan David, keeper Lucas Chevalier and defender Bafode Diakite moving on, and those absences were felt in their Ligue 1 opener.
Three goals were conceded in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Brest so Genesio will need to tighten up his new-look defence to keep Monaco at bay.
How the bookies view it: Monaco with the edge
Despite having home advantage, Lille are 2/1 outsiders for this one at BoyleSports. Monaco are the 13/10 favourites and the draw pays 12/5.
Recent head to head: There's Lille between them
This fixture has been closely fought in recent years, with the last 14 meetings producing five Lille wins, four Monaco victories and five draws. The first meeting last term was a 0-0 draw in Monte Carlo before Lille triumphed 2-1 at home.
Players to watch: Giroud's still got it
Veteran Olivier Giroud is back in France after joining Lille from Los Angeles FC and marked his debut with a goal last weekend. The former Arsenal star is 15/8 at BoyleSports to follow it up with another goal here.
Mika Biereth, another former Gunner, let me down last weekend after I backed him for a goal but the Dane should lead Monaco's line again. He netted 27 times for club and country last term and is 6/4 for a goal here.
Probable line-ups
Pogba and fellow big-name signing Ansu Fati missed out last weekend and are unlikely to feature again for Monaco as they build up their fitness. Striker Folarin Balogun is also still sidelined.
Lille have a number of injury issues, with Tiagos Santos. Edon Zhegrova, Ethan Mbappe, Aissa Mandi, Osame Sahraoui, Ousmane Toure and Marius Broholm in danger of missing out.
Lille: Ozer, Ngoy, Ribeiro, Perraud, Goffi, Haraldsson, Bentaleb, Mukau, Andre, Correia, Giroud.
Monaco: Hradecky, Dier, Teze, Caio Henriqe, Mawissa, Zakaria, Golovin, Akliouche, Camara, Minamino, Biereth.
Anything else catch the eye?
Lille look significantly weaker than last season and all their injury problems have given boss Genesio a bigger headache. So I fancy Monaco to win this one and you can boost their price to 17/10 by adding on over 1.5 goals.
With both these sides netting three times in their Ligue 1 openers, it bodes well for a decent game. BTTS pays just 1/2 but adding on over 2.5 goals increases the odds to 20/23 at BoyleSports. Over 1.5 first-half goals also looks decent at 7/5.
Monaco midfielder Denis Zakaria puts himself about and the Swiss star picked up nine yellows for club and country last term. He's 5/2 with Betfred to go into the book in this game.
GambleAware