Monaco vs Lorient Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Monaco need a response quite badly here in Ligue 1 as the stumbling Monegasque now welcome an improved and entertaining Lorient side to Stade Louis II this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Ligue 1+ / US – beIN Sports Connect
Monaco preview: Struggling Monaco
In October, Monaco took the surprising decision to sack Adi Hutter and replace him with former Royale Union Saint-Gilloise boss Sebastian Pocognoli, who won the Belgian Jupiler Pro League last season, and they have since struggled since his arrival.
They returned from the mid-season winter break with a 3-1 defeat at home to Olympique Lyonnais a couple of weeks ago down in the principality, leaving them in mid-table, before a hard-fought and unconvincing 3-1 win against US Orleans in the cup.
Lorient preview: Enterprising Lorient
Lorient come into this one on the back of a 3-1 defeat of Hauts Lyonnais in their most recent outing last weekend in the round of 32 of the Coupe de France. The hosts are now unbeaten in their last eight matches across all competitions.
Following promotion to the top-flight last season, Lorient took a bit of time to adapt and started the season slowly but their recent improved run of form has seen the visitors move towards the middle-of-the-table.
Monaco team news: Loads of issues
Monaco are dealing with loads of injury issues this weekend, as well as Mamadou Coulibaly missing through suspension with both Lamine Camara and Krepin Diatta away with Senegal at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
Predicted XI (4-1-2-1-2): Kohn; Kehrer, Dier, Ciao Henrique, Ouattara; Teze; Bamba, Golovin; Akliouche; Biereth, Balogun
Unavailable: Hradecky (Injured), Coulibaly (Suspended), Mawissa (Injured), Salisu (Injured), Pape Cabral (Injured), Camara (International duty), Diatta (International duty), Minamino (Injured)
Questionable: Vanderson (Injured), Pogba (Injured), Ansu Fati (Injured)
Lorient team news: Nothing fresh
There are no fresh injury concerns for Lorient to deal with for this one as defensive trio Abdoulaye Faye, Isaak Toure and Darlene Yongwa work their way back to full fitness.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Mvogo; Igor Silva, Meite, Adjei; Mvuka, Abergel, Cadiou, Le Bris; Makengo, Soumano, Pagis
Unavailable: Katseris (Injured), Tosin (Injured)
Questionable: Faye (Injured), Toure (Injured), Yongwa (Injured)
Monaco vs Lorient prediction
There are bare bones and there are what Monaco are having to deal with in defence. The Monegasque are without so many key players at the back that the only way of effectively getting a result here might be to go all out. With their form, that is likely to be a dangerous method, especially up against a Lorient side in such excellent form of their own at the moment. An entertaining watch for the neutral does appear to be in store on Friday evening.
Monaco vs Lorient tip: Over 2.5 goals
