Lens vs Monaco Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Lens have perhaps underperformed this season as they sit in the middle-of-the-table in Ligue 1 as the northerners now take on a strong and entertaining Monaco side at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Ligue 1 pass / US – beIN Sports
Lens preview: Mid-table Lens
English-Belgian coach Will Still departed Stade de Reims last summer for Lens and, just like he did at Reims, has been touting himself for jobs in England with Southampton said to be interested in him after Sunderland reportedly wanted Still last season.
The northerners sit firmly in the middle-of-the-table in Ligue 1, albeit just about inside the top-half. Their most recent outing saw them share a 1-1 draw with Toulouse with Neil El Aynaoui scoring an equaliser for Lens after Yann Gboho had opened the scoring for Toulouse.
Monaco preview: UCL Monaco
Under the management of former Borussia Monchengladbach boss Adi Hutter, Monaco have been thrilling to watch throughout the season and even with suggestions that he may well leave this summer, they have still now secured a top three spot in Ligue 1.
That means automatic UEFA Champions League qualification for next season as a result of an impressive 2-0 defeat of Olympique Lyonnais at Stade Louis II last weekend thanks to goals from Takumi Minamino and Denis Zakaria.
Lens team news: Couple of doubts
Former Fiorentina and Spezia attacker M’Bala Nzola is a doubt for this one due to a knee issue, alongside Ruben Aguilar. They also have some confirmed absentees, too, such as Jhoanner Chavez and Remu Labeau.
Predicted XI (3-6-1): Ryan; Gradit, Juma Bah, Medina; Pouilly, Thomason, Mendy, El Aynaoui, Diouf, Deiver Machado; Koyalipou
Unavailable: Jhoanner Chavez (Injured), Labeau (Injured)
Questionable: Aguilar (Injured), Nzola (Injured)
Monaco team news: Golovin still a doubt
Monaco are dealing with a couple of doubts ahead of the visit to Stade Bollaert-Delelis this weekend with Russia international attacking midfielder Aleksandr Golovin is a doubt due to a groin injury, whilst defensive midfielder Al Musrati is a confirmed absentee.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Kohn; Teze, Singo, Kehrer, Caio Henrique; Akliouche, Zakaria, Camara, Minamino; Biereth, Embolo
Unavailable: Al Musrati (Injured)
Questionable: Golovin (Injured)
Lens vs Monaco prediction
Lens have experienced a topsy turvy and inconsistent run of form throughout the last few months. The northerners’ hierarchy may well be frustrated with Still’s now consistent ability to talk a good game but often be underwhelming in terms of both results and performances. Monaco, though, have achieved what they wanted to and it can’t be taken away from them so Lens, with a bit more motivation as they seek to finish their season with a flourish at home, would appear the favourites for this one.
Lens vs Monaco tip: Lens to win
