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 type and might be eyeing an upset to shut the hole on the summit.
Match Preview
Monaco have been the shock package deal in Ligue 1 up to now this time period, racing out of the blocks to ascertain a two-point cushion over champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Underneath the steerage 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 powerful begin to the marketing campaign and might be keen to put down a marker in opposition to 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 shocking 1-0 conquer Actual Madrid within the Champions League.
The guests will take nice confidence from that European triumph as they goal 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 document closely skewed in favour of the house aspect.
Monaco have gained 26 of these conferences, whereas Lille have emerged victorious simply 9 instances.
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.
Group Information
Adi Hutter might be with out the providers of Edan Diop, who stays sidelined with a damaged leg, whereas Folarin Balogun and Mohammed Salisu are additionally unavailable because of damage.
There are additionally doubts over the health of captain Denis Zakaria, who missed worldwide obligation with Switzerland through the latest break.
On the plus aspect, Vanderson and Takumi Minamino must be out there 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 in opposition to Toulouse.
Hakon Arnar Haraldsson, Ismaily and Samuel Umtiti are all sidelined via damage, whereas the health of star striker Jonathan David might be intently 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 residence document, mixed with their blistering begin to the season, makes them the favourites to emerge victorious.
Nevertheless, Lille have proven they’ll produce massive performances on the highway, as evidenced by their conquer Actual Madrid, and might be no pushovers.
I count on a decent, closely-contested affair, however in the end imagine Monaco’s high quality and residential benefit will see them edge this one.
Betting Suggestions
I fancy Monaco to win this sport, however I additionally suppose Lille will pose a big menace and will discover the web.
Due to this fact, I might advocate backing Monaco to win and each groups to attain because the most secure betting possibility.
By way of the overall objectives, I imagine this match might see over 2.5 objectives, given the attacking prowess of each side, however I wouldn’t be shocked to see a extra cagey affair with beneath 2.5 objectives.
