Ligue 1 preview and tips: Monaco host Lorient in game to savour for neutrals
- Paul Bathurst
- 15 April 2023
Monaco host Lorient on Sunday, with both teams seeking the win that will help maintain their respective Ligue 1 challenges. Tipstrr football expert Paul Bathurst assesses their form and prospects.
Monaco have been entertaining the neutrals more than their own fans in recent games, with a string of tightly-contested matches that have seen Monaco likely disappointed with their points haul.
This match is again expected to be an exciting one, as both teams have plenty to play for. Monaco will be aiming to close the gap on the top-four teams, while Lorient will be hoping to cement their top half position.
When these two sides met earlier this year, they both scored twice in the second half to produce a highly entertaining 2-2 draw.
Both teams to score is a good option with Monaco's habit of conceding earning them just a solo clean sheet in 10 games (against Clermont Foot back in early February).
Monaco's last game saw them lead 2-0 away at Nantes thanks to first-half goals from Axel Disasi and Eliot Matazo, but ultimately, they would drop points after a late Nantes rally salvaged another 2-2 draw.
This was a game that Monaco dominated with 10 shots on target, while Nantes scored with both of their accurate efforts, which must have been frustrating for Monaco manager Phillipe Clement.
Meanwhile, Lorient have collected just six points from a possible fifteen across their last five matches, but nevertheless confidence will still be high considering the opponents faced.
Draws against Lyon, Nice and Marseille most recently can be seen as positive results, while the 3-1 defeat they suffered at Lille was late heartbreak with their opponents' substitute, Edon Zhegrova, scoring in the 89th and 91st minute.
To rub salt in the wound, Lorient were paying the price for the 79th minute red card issued to midfielder, Laurent Abergel, and in the end the one-man deficit cost them in the final moments.
The only opponents in this run that they might have been expected to beat was struggling Troyes, whom they duly dispatched with a 2-0 home win.
Youssouf Fofana will return for Monaco in this one and Malang Sarr is expected to be in the squad following illness. Breel Embolo is still likely to miss out with the Switzerland forward recovering from a knee sprain suffered in Monaco's victory over Ajaccio back in March.
Lorient have two players returning from suspension with Lucas Abergel and Brazilian right back Igor Silva both available for selection.
When these two teams drew 2-2 in the reverse fixture, Wissam Ben Yedder was the hero for Monaco with his 93rd minute equaliser rescuing a point, and the Frenchman is strongly fancied to add to his tally of 17 in the race for the golden boot.
- Paul Bathurst provides football tips as Soccer Sharp on Tipstrr
