Lorient vs Monaco Preview: Team News & Prediction
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It has been a tricky start to life back in Ligue 1 for Lorient, following their promotion last season, as they now take on a Monaco side preparing for the UEFA Champions League.
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 Connect
Lorient preview: The highs and lows
Lorient have started their return to Ligue 1 by collecting four points from their opening five games of the campaign. They have endured some hammerings against Lille and Olympique de Marseille, but also enjoyed a big win of their own against Stade Rennais.
The home team come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw with fellow likely strugglers Le Havre at Stade Oceane in their most recent outing last weekend. Tosin Aiyegun gave Lorient the lead in the 21st minute before Issa Soumare equalised in the second-half.
Monaco preview: Consistency required
Coached by former Borussia Monchengladbach boss Adi Hutter, Monaco have been thrilling to watch but it can have major peaks, both good and bad, and the bad was shown in the UEFA Champions League about ten days ago, losing to Club Brugge.
As they prepare to return to that competition with a clash against Manchester City at Stade Louis II in midweek, Monaco managed to bounce back by hammering a poor Metz side by five goals to two in the principality last weekend.
Lorient team news: Yongwa suspended
Key defender Darlene Yongwa remains missing through suspension for this weekend. They also have a few key injury doubts, too, such as Bandiougou Fadiga and Newcastle United loanee Trevan Sanusi.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Mvogo; Meite, Talbi, Faye; Le Bris, Avom, Abergel, Kouassi; Aiyegun, Dermane; Bamba
Unavailable: Toure (Injured), Yongwa (Suspended)
Questionable: Adjei (Injured), Fadiga (Injured), Katseris (Injured), Sanusi (Injured)
Monaco team news: Several issues
Monaco are dealing with several injury issues for this one. Ansu Fati has built his fitness back up and is now available, whilst Paul Pogba continues to work to full fitness.
Predicted XI (4-2-2-2): Kohn; Teze, Dier, Kehrer, Ouattara; Akliouche, Camara, Bamba, Minamino; Biereth, Ansu Fati
Unavailable: Hradecky (Injured), Zakaria (Injured), Pogba (Fitness), Golovin (Injured)
Questionable: Mawissa (Injured), Vanderson (Injured), Bamba (Injured)
Lorient vs Monaco prediction
Lorient have been very entertaining to watch with their games so far verging from one extreme to the other. The way in which they have played means they are unpredictable from week to week – and that is exactly what Monaco can be labelled as. That said, the visitors are stronger more often than not and they have a brilliant abundance of attacking talent, too. A high-scoring affair seems likely with Monaco the likeliest winners, too.
Lorient vs Monaco tip: Monaco to win & both teams to score
