Ligue 1 Predictions, Round 33
SCORES
Raphaël: 177
Luke: 208
Monaco got a win that could prove extremely important in their quest to return to the Champions League next season. The victory at Saint-Étienne, one of very few that they have achieved away from home this season, puts their destiny back in their own hands, even if in this congested battle, goal difference could too prove vital. It was a game that suited Monaco in style. The Principality club prefer it when a game is more open and when the opposition tries to press and attack. Saint-Étienne did that and it played into Monaco’s hands. There was a scare, however, as Mika Biereth and Moatasem Al-Musrati picked up injuries. Whilst the latter, more of a bit-part player over the course of his loan, will miss the end of the season, the former has recovered and is in contention to start against Lyon. It is a big boost for Monaco, given his output, particularly at home. Folarin Balogun also played his first 90 minutes since his return from a long-term injury and scored too. Monaco, at a crucial time in the season, have all strikers fit and most importantly, in form. Against a Lyon side that do give up chances, that could prove pivotal.
Lyon are in crisis mode after a defeat to Lens last week. It was not a deserved defeat. Paulo Fonseca’s side dominated and conceded from almost the only two chances conceded, whilst missing plenty of their own, however, it is a defeat that now puts them on the periphery of the Champions League discussion. The financial consequences of that could be devastating. It is a case of on-field matters accentuating, rather than causing, an off-field crisis, the consequences of which could be on display at the Stade Louis II. Fonseca’s side will have to deploy a gung-ho approach as they go all-in for the three points. It could make for an entertaining game with plenty of goals.
