15 October 2021, 11:13 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The French Ligue 1 fixture, Olympique Lyon vs. AS Monaco, kicks off at 20:00 (GMT+1) on Saturday, October 16 at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.
Preview Olympique Lyonnais Ligue 1, Oct 16, 2021
Preview Lyon failed to pick up three points against fierce rivals, Saint-Étienne, on Matchday 9, despite having the lead at the end of regular time. Saint-Étienne had seen their goal chalked off by the flag before Houssem Aouar (42') established the lead for Lyon. Xherdan Shaqiri also had his goal ruled out at the other end after the break. Lyon’s goalkeeper, Anthony Lopes (R. 74’) was shown the red for handling the ball outside the area minutes before Wahbi Khazri (90’+5 P.) restored parity from the penalty spot. 1-1! It finished. With back-to-back draws, WLWDD, Lyon remains in 10th place, having picked up 13 points after 3W, 4D, & 2L. Judging by history alone, Peter Bosz’s side shouldn’t have any problems putting Monaco aside. Riddled with injuries, Lyon were forced to play the game against Saint-Étienne with Paqueta playing in center-forward position, citing the absence of a better option. However, with several key players billed to return after the international break, Lyon could revert to the 4—3—3 formation with Slimani serving as the focal point in attack. Lyon have a goal ratio of 1.56 goals per game, having netted 14 goals after nine Ligue 1 games. However, the club has conceded 13 times (1.44 goals conceded per game), and has a G.D. of +1. On availability, Anthony Lopes is suspended for this game following the red cards against Saint-Étienne.
Preview Monaco Ligue 1, Oct 16, 2021
Preview AS Monaco sits in 6th place following a 3-0 win over Bordeaux. It was the first clean sheet for Monaco this season in the French top-flight division. An impressed Niko Kovac demanded a similar performance after the international break. It’s always better to win before an international break, Kovac said after the game. Hopefully, we will also win this way after the break, he added. Monaco has 14 points from 4W, 2D, & 3L, coupled with three consecutive victories in five games: LDWWW. After a slow start to the season, Niko Kovac’s side appears to be finding their feet and a victory against Lyon could see Monaco in the top-five at the end of Matchday 10. Les Monégasques have 14 goals, an average of 1.56 goals per game. The club has also conceded at least once in every game and has a G.D. of +3. Tchouameni and Monaco’s skipper, Ben Yedder, formed part of the French UEFA Nations League winning squad. Both players will return in high spirits to give Niko Kovac a helping hand on Saturday. Kovac’s 4—2—3—1 formation could see Ben Yedder in attack once again when Les Monégasques return for their 10th Ligue 1 appearance of the season.