Soccer France Ligue 1 Prediction

Lyon vs Monaco - Match Preview

⚽ 19 May 2023 - 19:00 GMT +0

The new era at Lyon under the fresh presidential reign of American investor John Textor got off to a bumpy start as they lost 2-1 at the hands of Clermont. Textor has made it clear in his business plan that Lyon is aiming to become a regular Champions League club, yet he will have to wait for that to come to fruition with the current side sitting four points adrift of the top five with just nine left to play for.

The quest to close that gap begins here against fourth-placed Monaco, who sit nine points above Lyon, but that gap could be cut to six if the Olympians can build on their rock-solid competitive home form since February (W5, D3, L1). There’s a reasonable case for Lyon to do just that as they’ve run out winners in three of their five home league games against sides beginning the round above them (W3, L2).

Monaco will attempt to even out that formidable home record as they search for the points required to secure a top-four spot. However, anything better than their current Europa League place seems unlikely, with Marseille eight points above them in third. Yet, with third and fifth playing each other on Saturday, the principality club have a golden opportunity to gain ground on the top three, pull away from fifth, or potentially both!

A victory here could be enough to secure a top-four berth with two games to go depending on results elsewhere, yet Monaco must improve on some patchy recent away form if they’re to hold up their end of the bargain (W2, D2, L1). Perhaps tellingly, Monaco is unbeaten away from home against sides placed between 8th-20th (W10, D3), yet remain winless away to top-seven sides (D2, L2), a trend they must buck here!

📋 Players to watch: Ligue 1 Golden Boot contender Alexandre Lacazette (G25) has now scored Lyon’s opener in his last four scoring appearances, which includes in each of the last two rounds. As for Monaco, an Aleksandr Golovin goal often spells success with each of his last ten scoring appearances ending in victory for his side.

⚡ Hot stat: Monaco has failed to win five of their six league games this season when entering as pre-match outsiders (W1, D3, L2).