Lorient and Monaco will lock horns in Ligue 1 at the Stade du Moustoir on Saturday afternoon.
The newly-promoted hosts have endured a tough start to life back in the top-flight, losing three of their opening five contests of the campaign.
That being said, Olivier Pantaloni's side did snap a two-game losing run by battling their way to a 1-1 draw away at Le Havre last weekend.
The Brittany-based club will be hoping that stalemate can act as a springboard for further improvement when Monaco come to town.
Adi Hutter’s team made it four wins from five in Ligue 1 with a thumping 5-2 win over Metz last Sunday.
That victory coupled with PSG’s 1-0 loss away at Marseille means that the Red and Whites will start the weekend setting the pace in the French top-flight.
How the bookies view it: Monaco to keep on motoring
Given how strong a start Monaco have made to the season, it’s no surprise to see the visitors as short-priced 6/10 favourites with Boylesports on Saturday afternoon.
Lorient are as big as 16/5 on Boylesports to take top honours while a share of the Stade du Moustoir spoils is also considered unlikely at 3/1 with the same firm.
Head to head: Another stalemate in store?
Somewhat surprisingly, five of the last seven meetings between the pair in Ligue 1 have ended all square, including each of the previous two. What’s more, four of those five draws ended 2-2 – the same scoreline on Saturday afternoon is trading at 12/1 on Boylesports.
Players to watch: Mika to make his mark?
After opening up his account for the season last weekend, Mika Biereth looks well worthy of support for a goal or an assist on Saturday afternoon at 4/5 on Bet365.
Aiyegun Tosin has posted a quietly impressive return of three goals across his five appearances in Ligue 1 this season, making the Lorient forward a lively anytime goalscorer option at 11/4 on Boylesports.
Predicted line-ups
Lorient boss Pantaloni will be unable to call upon the services of injured quartet Bandiougou Fadiga, Issac Toure, Nathaniel Adjei and Panos Katseris.
Aleksandr Golovin, Denis Zakaria and Lukas Hradecky will miss out for Monaco, while Paul Pogba is not expected to make his debut for the club until next month as he continues to build up his fitness.
Lorient: Mvogo; Meite, Talbi, Faye; Le Bris, Cadiou, Abergel, Kouassi,Dermane, Tosin; Bamba
Monaco: Kohn; Teze, Dier, Kehrer, Ouattara; Bamba, Camara; Akliouche, Biereth, Minamino; Balogun
Anything else catch the eye?
Bundling up a Monaco win alongside over 1.5 goals will bring about an attractive 4/5 shot on Boylesports.
This combination would have been a winning one in each of Monaco’s four victories in Ligue 1 this season, while the same bet would also have proven profitable in each of Lorient’s last two defeats.
Given that both teams have scored in each of Monaco’s four wins this season, a repeat here also merits support at a value 2/1 on Boylesports.
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