Having hit the heights of the Ligue 1 title and the semi-final of the Champions League last season, Monaco were always going to find it tough to stage a repeat of their success this season. Having lost several key players in the summer transfer window including Kylian Mbappe, Benjamin Mendy and Bernardo Silva, Monaco do not have the same group of young, talented players which took them so far in the 2016/17 campaign. However, they are aiming to push the big spending PSG all the way this season and travel to Lille on Friday night in Ligue 1.
Lille Form
Lille started the season well and picked up a good 3-0 home win against Nantes. This set the tone for what was hopefully going to be a strong campaign but 5 league matches later and Lille are still searching for their second win of the season. The 5 Ligue 1 games following the opening day win against Nantes have seen Lille win just 2 points in draws at home against Bordeaux and away to Angers. The three defeats have come at home against Caen and away to Strasbourg and Guingamp. Considering matches from last season, Lille have won only 3 of their last 13 Ligue 1 games, which is poor form. Scoring goals has been a problem and they have just 1 in their last 5 league matches.
Monaco Form
Monaco started the new Ligue 1 season where they left off the last and claimed 3 points in an exciting 3-2 home win against Toulouse. What followed was victories at Dijon and Metz and then a tremendous 6-1 thumping of Marseille at home. This result left Monaco on maximum points after 4 matches and in a great position to defend their title.
However, Monaco then suffered a setback, losing 3-0 at Nice and this left then 3 points adrift of PSG in the league table. The 3-0 home victory over Strasbourg last week showed Monaco are not going to give up their title easily but they cannot afford many more dropped points if they want to keep pace with PSG. Monaco are undefeated in 25 of their last 26 Ligue 1 games and have won 17 of their last 18 Ligue 1 matches, which is a fantastic record.
Team News
Lille are waiting on the fitness of three players ahead of this game with Thiago Mendes, Hamza Mendy and Adam Soumaoro all rated as doubtful. Monaco will miss the presence of Thomas Lemar in midfield for this match as the French international is injured. Defender Kevin N’Doram will also miss the game with an injury.
Top Betting Tips
Given the form of Lille in Ligue 1 and the impressive record of Monaco, despite their loss in their previous away match at Nice, the visitors must be considered the favourites for this match. Monaco are 8/11 with Ladbrokes to win this game. Lille have been struggling to score goals and if Monaco get on top, it will be difficult for them to break down their defence and keep them out at the other end of the pitch. Ladbrokes offer 18/5 for Monaco to win the match. Radamel Falcao has scored an average of one goal per game in his last 10 matches for club and country. You can get Evens with Unibet for Falcao to score at any time in this match.