Lens sacked manager Dino Toppmoller last weekend and I expect positive reaction from the team. Monaco are unbeaten this season, so a scoring draw looks likely on Friday.
Key Stats
- Monaco are unbeaten in their last 6 matches.
- Monaco have seen BTTS in 4 of their last 6 matches.
- Monaco have seen BTTS in 5 of their last 6 matches against Lens.
- Lens are unbeaten in their last 2 matches.
- Lens have seen BTTS in 4 of their last 5 matches.
73-Year-Old Rivalry
These two clubs locked horns 123 times so far and Monaco hold a 58-32 advantage in terms of victories.
Hosts off to a Great Start
Monaco appointed Filipe Luis as their new head manager earlier this summer and so far their results have been fantastic, claiming 10 points in four Ligue 1 appearances.
Two of victories were earned against the big guns, outplaying Marseille 2-0 at home in late August, while starting September with a 2-1 road win against the reigning champions PSG. Their opponents had a total of 36 shots in these games yet scored just once.
Last weekend, Monaco had another tough opponent Strasbourg and claimed a point in a 1-1 draw away from home. Paris Brunner saved the day with his second half equalizer.
Turbulent Weeks for Lens
Lens opened the new Ligue 1 campaign with a commanding 5-2 victory against Auxerre, but then suffered back to back defeats against Strasbourg 2-1 and Lorient 1-0.
Their problems continued last weekend in a 2-2 road draw against underdogs Le Mans, so the board decided to sack the head manager Dino Topmoller after just six games in charge.
Before the mentioned draw, Lens claimed three points in their UCL main stage opening match against Slavia Prague 3-2 after pulling a big comeback, scoring twice in stoppage time.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Monaco (4-2-3-1) Lukas Hradecky; Vanderson, Eric Dier, Mohammed Salisu, Nazinho; Lamine Camara, Denis Zakaria; Lucas Detourbet, Matthis Abline, Aleksandr Golovin; Paris Brunner
Takumi Minamino remains sidelined with a cruciate ligament tear while Edan Diop copes with a thigh strain alongside injuries to Folarin Balogun and Ansu Fati.
Takumi Minamino remains sidelined with a cruciate ligament tear while Edan Diop copes with a thigh strain alongside injuries to Folarin Balogun and Ansu Fati.
Lens (3-4-2-1) Robin Risser; Jonathan Gradit, Antonio, Matthieu Udol; Ruben Aguilar, Massadio Haidara, Marko Bulatovic, Kylian Hazard; Florian Thauvin, Abdallah Sima; Franjo Ivanovic
Defender Maik Nawrocki recovers from a cruciate ligament issue while Jhoanner Chavez and Yacine Titraoui suffer from sore thighs.
Defender Maik Nawrocki recovers from a cruciate ligament issue while Jhoanner Chavez and Yacine Titraoui suffer from sore thighs.