The Ligue 1 title race is heating up as league leaders Monaco welcome second-placed Lille to the Stade Louis II on Friday night.
Monaco have loved a blistering begin to the season and at present sit high of the desk, however Lille have additionally been in spectacular kind and can be eyeing an upset to shut the hole on the summit.
Match Preview
Monaco have been the shock package deal in Ligue 1 to date this time period, racing out of the blocks to determine a two-point cushion over champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Underneath the steering of Adi Hutter, the principality membership have gained six of their opening seven league matches, dropping factors solely in a 2-2 draw with Strasbourg.
Their most up-to-date outing noticed them grind out a hard-fought 2-1 victory away at Rennes, highlighting the resilience inside this Monaco squad.
Lille, in the meantime, have additionally made a robust begin to the marketing campaign and can be keen to put down a marker towards the league leaders.
After a troublesome run of 4 straight defeats in late August and mid-September, Bruno Genesio’s aspect have bounced again impressively, beating Le Havre and Toulouse earlier than pulling off a surprising 1-0 overcome Actual Madrid within the Champions League.
The guests will take nice confidence from that European triumph as they intention to shut the hole on Monaco on the high.
Head to Head
Monaco and Lille have met on 44 earlier events in Ligue 1, with the head-to-head file closely skewed in favour of the house aspect.
Monaco have gained 26 of these conferences, whereas Lille have emerged victorious simply 9 occasions.
The final time the 2 groups confronted off on the Stade Louis II, it was Monaco who got here out on high, securing a 1-0 victory again in April.
Staff Information
Adi Hutter can be with out the companies of Edan Diop, who stays sidelined with a damaged leg, whereas Folarin Balogun and Mohammed Salisu are additionally unavailable attributable to damage.
There are additionally doubts over the health of captain Denis Zakaria, who missed worldwide responsibility with Switzerland in the course of the latest break.
On the plus aspect, Vanderson and Takumi Minamino needs to be accessible regardless of their long-haul travels with their respective nationwide groups.
For Lille, Benjamin Andre is suspended after choosing up a warning of their earlier league outing towards Toulouse.
Hakon Arnar Haraldsson, Ismaily and Samuel Umtiti are all sidelined via damage, whereas the health of star striker Jonathan David can be carefully monitored after he featured for Canada within the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Prediction
This has all of the makings of an exciting encounter between two of Ligue 1’s in-form sides. Monaco’s spectacular house file, mixed with their blistering begin to the season, makes them the favourites to emerge victorious.
Nonetheless, Lille have proven they’ll produce massive performances on the street, as evidenced by their overcome Actual Madrid, and can be no pushovers.
I anticipate a good, closely-contested affair, however finally consider Monaco’s high quality and residential benefit will see them edge this one.
Betting Suggestions
I fancy Monaco to win this recreation, however I additionally assume Lille will pose a big risk and will discover the web.
Subsequently, I might suggest backing Monaco to win and each groups to attain because the most secure betting possibility.
When it comes to the whole targets, I consider this match may see over 2.5 targets, given the attacking prowess of each side, however I wouldn’t be stunned to see a extra cagey affair with beneath 2.5 targets.
