22 October 2021, 16:51 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The French Ligue 1 fixture, AS Monaco vs. Montpellier HSC, kicks off at 16:00 (GMT+1) on Sunday, October 24, at Stade Louis II.
Preview Monaco Ligue 1, Oct 24, 2021
Preview Monaco will make their way back to Ligue 1 action, following Thursday’s 2-1 win over PSV in the UEFA Europa League. A goal from Myron Boadu (19’) and a last-gasp effort from Sofiane Diop (89’) decided the outcome of the game minutes after Cody Gakpo (59’) leveled the scoreline for PSV. Last weekend, Monaco picked up a 2-0 defeat to OL on the home front at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais. Ekambi (75’ P.) put Lyon in front from twelve yards minutes before Jason Denayer (90’) compounded Monaco’s problems with a second goal for Lyon. It was the first defeat for Monaco in five Ligue 1 games: DWWWL. With Monaco sitting in 10th place while having equal points with four other teams in the congested section of the mid-table, Niko Kovac will aim for a win in a bid to separate his side from the crowd. Monaco has 14 points after 4W, 2D, & 4L ahead of what will be the 47th episode of their rivalry against Montpellier, since the 1993/94 Ligue 1 season. The club has an average of 1.4 goals per game, having picked up 14 goals in 10 Ligue 1 games. Monaco has also conceded 13 goals (1.3 gcpg), and has a G.D of +1. Kovac has plenty of options available for this game and could adopt the 4—4—2 formation or go with three at the back in a dynamic 3—5—2 formation. In any case, an attacking pair is expected upfront in the shape of Myron Boadu and Volland. Ben Yedder could make an off-the-bench appearance or force his way into the starting line-up when Les Monégasques return for their 11th Ligue 1 appearance of the season. Aleksandr Golovin remains in doubt alongside Krépin Diatta. Djibril Sidibé (groin injury) is also a possible absentee for this fixture.
Preview Montpellier Ligue 1, Oct 24, 2021
Preview Despite sitting 3 spots below Monaco in 13th place, Montpellier remains only a point adrift of the opposition, having picked up 13 points from 3W, 4D, & 3L. Last weekend, Montpellier picked up three points against RC Lens on home soil, courtesy of a goal from Stephy Mavididi (48’). It was the first victory for Montpellier in five Ligue 1 games: DDLDW. Having 17 goals after ten appearances, the club is left with an average of 1.7 goals scored per game. La Paillade has conceded 16 goals (1.6 goals-per-match) so far, which leaves the club with a G.D. of +1. Manager Olivier Dall’Oglio could emerge with the attacking 4—2—3—1 formation having Valère Germain at the top of the design.