Lorient vs Monaco Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 French Ligue 1
THE FACTS
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
When is Lorient vs Monaco on and what time does it start? Lorient vs Monaco will take place on Sunday 17th September, 2023 – 12:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Lorient vs Monaco? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Lorient vs Monaco on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Ligue 1 matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Lorient vs Monaco
Where can I stream Lorient vs Monaco in the UK? If Lorient vs Monaco is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
LORIENT
Lorient came up with Lens a few seasons ago and like Lens have benefitted from an impressive off-field running of football, comfortably surviving in Ligue 1 and even finishing in the top-half last season. Regis Le Bris has lost a few key men over the last six months or so since Bill Foley acquired both FC Lorient and Premier League side AFC Bournemouth.
They began this season with back-to-back draws against reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes and then against Nice. After that they annihilated Lille with a shock 4-1 hammering of the northerners before then suffering their own shock hammering as they were beaten 3-0 by newly-promoted Le Havre.
MONACO
Under the management of Adi Hutter, Monaco have made some promising and impressive signings over the summer transfer window. The likes of Mohammed Salisu and Denis Zakaria arrived before the late signing of Folarin Balogun to compliment an already potent attack which has the Monagasque beginning this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting at the top-of-the-table.
They come into this having started the season with an impressive 4-2 defeat of Clermont on the opening day. Then they comfortably hammered Patrick Vieira’s Strasbourg by three goals to nil before a thrilling 3-3 draw away to Nantes. Their final match before the first international break of the season saw them dispatch of last season’s second-place side Lens by three goals to nil a couple of weeks ago.
THE TEAM NEWS
LORIENT
Lorient are without several key players due to injury, including the controversial summer signing Benjamin Mendy, who is still injured ahead of this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Mvogo; Mendy, Laporte, Talbi; Kalulu, Abergel, Ponceau, Le Goff; Faivre, Pagis; Doucoure
UNAVAILABLE: Dieng (Injured), Mendy (Injured), Boisgard (Injured), Kari (Injured), Silva (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
MONACO
Adi Hutter has some serious key injuries as they are without Ruben Aguilar and Breel Embolo, as well as new summer signing Mohammed Salisu.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Kohn; Singo, Maripan, Magassa; Vanderson, Fofana, Camara, Caio Henrique; Minamino, Golovin; Ben Yedder
UNAVAILABLE: Aguilar (Injured), Ben Seghir (Injured), Salisu (Injured), Diop (Injured), Embolo (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Pre-season expectations are that Lorient finish in mid-table and Monaco, once again, push into the top three and return to the UEFA Champions League. The home team have started steadily and a top-half finish seems like a reasonable return and probability at this stage. However, they now face a Monaco side that could well be the ‘best of the rest’ and challenging Paris Saint-Germain for the French title. An entertaining away win is expected in Lorient.
TIP: MONACO TO WIN & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
