MX23RW : Monday, February 15 17:49:00| >> :600:181133:181133:
Jan 6, 2021 at 6pm UK at Stade du Moustoir
LorientLorient
2-5
MonacoMonaco
Moffi (31'), Gravillon (67')
Lauriente (34')
Delaplace (48')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Disasi (9'), Golovin (64'), Volland (68'), Diop (78'), Maripan (89')
Sidibe (3'), Martins (6'), Diop (66')

Preview: Lorient vs. Monaco - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Ligue 1 clash between Lorient and Monaco, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Lorient host Monaco in Ligue 1 on Wednesday evening as both sides look to build on the 2-2 draws they recorded last time out.

The hosts are currently occupying the relegation playoff place after a difficult first half of the campaign, while Les Monegasques are fighting for European qualification.


Match preview

Monaco manager Niko Kovac pictured in September 2020© Reuters

Christophe Pelissier's men came back from two goals down against Nice before the winter break to earn themselves a point.

Scoring goals has been a problem for Les Merlus this season, with their 17-goal haul the third lowest in the division.

Lorient have drawn a blank on eight occasions in their last 10 top-flight matches and will, therefore, be hoping to build on the brace they bagged in their most recent outing.

Coming up against a Monaco side who have struggled at the back throughout the campaign may be the perfect opponents to do just that as the Stade du Moustoir outfit aim to elevate themselves above the drop zone.

The principality club have experienced a drop off in form since they defeated the reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 in late November.

Just two wins, one draw and three losses have followed that impressive victory. The poor run of form has seen Niko Kovac's side fall to sixth in the table, four points behind Rennes in the final Champions League spot.

Monaco came from 2-1 down to take home a share of the spoils against Saint-Etienne last time out, despite being down to 10 men for the majority of the match.

Achieving qualification for Europe's elite cup competition would have been the aim for Kovac at the start of the season, and nothing less than three points against a relegation contender will do.

Lorient Ligue 1 form: LLWLLD

Monaco Ligue 1 form: WLLLWD


Team News

Monaco's Axel Disasi celebrates with teammates after scoring against Nice on November 8, 2020© Reuters

Lorient's Andreaw Gravillon has served his two-game ban and will now be available for selection once again.

The two-week break came at a good time for Pelissier as it has allowed Thomas Fontaine, Houboulang Mendes and Matthieu Saunier to return to fitness, strengthening his side's options.

Monaco's regular number one goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte may be in line to return to the starting lineup following a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a broken hand.

Former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas is not ready to return from a calf injury, meaning Benfica loanee Florentino Luis is set to start in the middle of the pitch due to Eliot Matazo's suspension.

Lorient possible starting lineup:
Nardi; Le Goff, Morel, Laporte, Hergault; Lemoine; Boisgard, Abergel, Monconduit, Lauriente; Moffi

Monaco possible starting lineup:
Lecomte; Aguilar, Disasi, Maripan; Henrique; Diop, Tchouameni, Luis, Martins; Volland, Ben Yedder


SM words green background

We say: Lorient 0-2 Monaco

Although Monaco have been struggling somewhat of late, Lorient's troubles in front of goal and their lack of quality across the pitch should mean Kovac's side pick up the three points here. They cannot afford to lose any more ground on the top four, and a narrow victory is the most likely outcome in midweek.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


ID:429192:cQx

How you voted: Lorient vs Monaco

Lorient
11.5%
Draw
9.4%
Monaco
79.2%
96
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Lille25167242152755
2Paris Saint-GermainPSG25173557154254
3Lyon25157351222952
4MonacoMonaco25154652371549
5Rennes2410863126538
6Lens2510783534137
7Metz259882924535
8Montpellier HSCMontpellier25105104145-435
9Marseille239772926334
10Angers25104113040-1034
11Bordeaux2596102729-233
12Brest2594123744-731
13Reims2578103133-229
14Nice2485112833-529
15Saint-EtienneSt Etienne2578102536-1129
16StrasbourgStrasbourg2584133440-628
17Lorient2465133045-1523
18NantesNantes25410112540-1522
19Nimes2453162251-2918
20Dijon2529141738-2115

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