MX23RW : Saturday, September 21 00:42:08| >> :120:21813:21813:
[monks data]
Monaco
Ligue 1
Aug 30, 2014 at 4pm UK
 
Lille

1-1

Berbatov (61')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Roux (18')

Preview: AS Monaco vs. Lille

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Ligue 1 encounter between Monaco and Lille as the hosts look to build on their first win of the season last time out.

Having finally picked up their first points of the season last weekend, AS Monaco will host Lille in Ligue 1 this Saturday as they look to build on their new-found momentum.

Last season's runners-up made a hugely disappointing start to the new campaign, losing their opening two matches to plummet into the relegation zone.

However, a 1-0 victory away to Nantes last Sunday prevented Leonardo Jardim's side from becoming the last remaining pointless team in the division, and Monaco will now look to kick on from that win.

Further improvement is certainly needed, and Jardim won't need telling that his side were fortunate to come away with all three points from Nantes.

The hosts missed a first-half penalty and struck the woodwork late on, but Radamel Falcao's header on the stroke of half time proved to be enough.

Monaco may not be able to rely on Falcao for too much longer, however, with reports constantly linking him with a move away from the club.

One player who has arrived this week is centre-back Wallace, but he is unlikely to feature this weekend.

In contrast to Monaco, Lille have made a fine start to the new domestic season, dropping just two points from their opening three games to sit third in the early standings.

Manager Rene Girard will be particularly pleased with his side's defence, which is yet to be breached in the league.

However, there was disappointment in Europe this past week as Lille were eliminated from the Champions League in their playoff against Porto, losing the second leg 2-0 on Tuesday to complete a 3-0 aggregate defeat.

A place in the Europa League now beckons for the club, but the loss of potential income from missing out on the Champions League could force Girard to let a couple of players go before the end of the transfer window.

Girard also has a defensive issue to worry about this weekend as Marko Basa is out for up to four weeks with a hamstring injury, while fellow centre-back Simon Kjaer is struggling with a groin strain from midweek.

Recent form

Monaco: LLW

Lille: DDWLWL

Possible starting lineups

Monaco: Subasic; Fabinho, Raggi, Carvalho, Kurzawa; Kondogbia, Toulalan, Moutinho; Germain, Falcao, Ocampos

Lille: Enyeama; Corchia, Beria, Rozehnal, Souare; Gueye, Mavuba, Balmont; Mendes, Roux, Origi

Sports Mole says: 1-0


ID:173688: cacheID:173688:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4614:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Lille's Ivorian forward Salomon Kalou celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match Lille vs Gingamp on March 30, 2014
Read Next:
Lille close in on Champions League spot
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG44001631312
2Marseille4310124810
3MonacoMonaco431071610
4Lens42204138
5Nice521214687
6NantesNantes42116337
7Reims42116607
8Rennes42028536
9Lille42025416
10Le HavreLe Havre420267-16
11StrasbourgStrasbourg41218715
12Toulouse41214405
13Lyon411248-44
14Brest4103610-43
15Auxerre410339-63
16Saint-EtienneSt Etienne5104115-143
17Angers401328-61
18Montpellier HSCMontpellier4013213-111


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!