Lyon vs Monaco prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-08-23 15:00.
[p]After such an encouraging end to the last campaign (W8, D1, L1), Lyon were raring to go for 2024/25. However, a heavy 3-0 defeat against Rennes in their season opener may well see memories of the dreadful start they suffered last year come flooding back. Les Gones opened their top-flight season last term with two successive defeats for the first time since 1966/67, and they’re now at risk of doing so twice in a row. [/p]
[p]The Groupama Stadium faithful will do all they can to help their side avoid such a fate, especially since Lyon treated them to a five-game unbeaten streak (W4, D1) at home to end last season. Pierre Sage’s men may well be encouraged that their next opponents are last season’s runners-up Monaco, as they’ve won each of the last six league H2Hs on home soil.[/p]
[p]This will mark the 116th Ligue 1 encounter between these two teams, making it the most frequently played fixture among clubs currently in the top-flight. Monaco will be looking to open their campaign with back-to-back victories for a second successive season, after they beat newly-promoted Saint-Étienne 1-0 last week.[/p]
[p]The Monégasques, who enjoyed a busy summer in the transfer market, will be looking to close the nine-point gap between themselves and perennial champions PSG at the end of last term. To that end, boss Adi Hütter will want his team to pick up right where they left off on the road having won six of their last seven away league games (L1), though the sole defeat came against these opponents on this ground in April (3-2)![/p]
[p]Players to watch: Lyon were without the talismanic Alexandre Lacazette in their season opener, but he’s primed to make an impact here having directly contributed to nine goals in ten games against Monaco (G7, A2). The visitors will be looking to another ex-Arsenal striker in Folarin Balogun to provide the goods, as he netted seven of his eight goals last season away from home.[/p]
[p]Hot streak: None of the last 18 H2Hs have ended in a draw (OL: W12, L6).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Peter Stavrinou[/i][/p]