Monaco and Lorient kick off this weekend’s French Ligue 1 action, with a Friday night clash at the Stade Louis II.
Both teams come into this clash in contrasting form, with the hosts looking out of sorts at the moment while the visitors are showing some improvement.
Monaco head into Friday's clash off the back of a 3-1 victory at Orleans in a Coupe de France clash. That was only the fourth win in 10 matches in all competitions for Sebastian Pocognoli's men, who have been inconsistent lately.
A closer look at Monaco's league form reveals they have suffered six defeats in their last seven Ligue 1 matches. The Monegasques have also had little respite at home lately, losing three of their last four home matches in the league.
Meanwhile, Lorient have caught the eye lately and are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions. They played out a 1-1 home draw with Metz in their previous Ligue 1 fixture and followed that up with a 3-1 victory at Hauts Lyonnais in the Coupe de France.
Sitting 12th in the table, just three points off 10th-placed Angers, Lorient will be keen to push into the top half. Olivier Pantaloni’s men have earned some decent results on their travels and are unbeaten in their last four away matches.
How the bookies view it: Monaco still favourites
Despite their recent struggles, Monaco still have the upper hand among the bookies and are priced at 3/5 by Ladbrokes to claim the win. A victory for Lorient is valued at 9/2 by Betfred, while William Hill are offering odds of 10/3 for a draw.
Head to head: Monaco on top
Monaco have a 13-6 advantage, with 12 draws in the last 31 matches against Lorient. However, the visitors are unbeaten in seven of the last eight meetings and claimed a 3-1 home victory in the reverse fixture back in September.
Players to watch: Eyes on Dieng
Bamba Dieng has caught the eye for Lorient lately, scoring five goals in the last three matches in all competitions. Given his hot streak in front of goal, there is value in backing the forward to score once again (Bamba Dieng anytime goalscorer – valued at 3/1 by bet365).
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Mika Biereth is expected to lead the line for Monaco and will be keen to improve his tally of two Ligue 1 goals. The striker could be worth keeping an eye on (Mika Biereth anytime goalscorer – priced at 5/4 on William Hill).
Probable line-ups:
Monaco will be without several key players, with Lamine Camara and Krepin Diatta on international duty while Mamadou Coulibaly is suspended. Ansu Fati, Folarin Balogun, Takumi Minamino, Paul Pogba and Thilo Kehrer are all sidelined with injury.
Lorient are without Panos Katseris and Isaak Toure, who are both sidelined with injury. Dieng should feature in attack once again, while Igor Silva is set to continue at the back.
Monaco: Kohn, Ouattara, Dier, Teze, Henrique, Zakaria, Bamba, Akliouche, Golovin, Biereth, Ilenikhena.
Lorient: Kamara, Meite, Adjei, Silva, Le Bris, Makengo, Abergel, Mvuka Mugisha, Pagis, Sanusi, Dieng.
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have scored in the last five matches between Monaco and Lorient (BTTS YES – offered at 4/6 on Ladbrokes). All five fixtures have produced over 3.5 goals – available at 7/5 on Paddy Power.
Lorient have earned a win or draw in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions (Lorient double chance – set at odds of 13/10 by bet365).
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