Nantes vs Monaco Preview: Team News & Prediction
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After a slow-ish start to the Ligue 1 campaign, Nantes will be looking to build on a win at the weekend as they welcome a Monaco side in a new era to Stade de la Beaujoire.
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
Nantes preview: Better performances than results
Nantes appointed Luis Castro over the summer and the home team have been steady in terms of their performance level but a tough run of fixtures has left them down towards the bottom end of the table, but they come into this one on the back of a good win.
At the weekend, Nantes managed to defeat big spending Paris by two goals to one at Stade Jean-Bouin, courtesy of goals from Morocco international striker Youssef El Arabi and excellent young attacker Matthis Abline.
Monaco preview: The Pocognoli era
During the October international break, Monaco decided to part company with Adi Hutter and replaced him with Sebastian Pocognoli, who managed to guide Royale Union Saint-Gilloise to the Belgian Jupiler Pro League title last season.
The Monegasque now come into this one on the back of a slender 1-0 defeat of Toulouse at Stade Louis II at the weekend, thanks to a third minute winner scored by Ghana international defender Mohammed Salisu.
Nantes team news: A few issues
Nantes midfield duo Francis Coquelin and Johann Lepenant are confirmed absentees for the Canaries, whilst versatile forward Mayckel Lahdo is a doubt, too.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Lopes; Kelvin Amian, Awaziem, Tati, Leroux; Mwanga, Kwon, Tabibou; Abline, El Arabi, Guirassy
Unavailable: Coquelin (Injured), Lepenant (Injured)
Questionable: Lahdo (Injured)
Monaco team news: Pogba edging closer
Paul Pogba is edging closer to full fitness for Monaco. They do have some key confirmed absentees in midfield, too, such as Denis Zakaria as well as Lamine Camara.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Kohn; Kehrer, Salisu, Mawissa; Diatta, Golovin, Coulibaly, Ouattara; Minamino, Ansu Fati; Balogun
Unavailable: Hradecky (Injured), Dier (Injured), Caio Henrique (Injured), Zakaria (Injured), Camara (Injured)
Questionable: Vanderson (Injured), Pogba (Injured)
Nantes vs Monaco prediction
Nantes will be expected to once again keep things tight and competitive, especially with their home advantage at Stade de la Beaujoire. Monaco head to Brittany knowing that they have a lot of talent and ability but they are being moulded into the Pocognoli way of doing things at the moment. Monaco would have to remain favourites but it is expected to be a low-scoring encounter.
Nantes vs Monaco tip: Double chance – Monaco to win or draw & under 3.5 goals
