Monaco vs Strasbourg prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-08-19 17:00.
Monaco kickstarted their Ligue 1 campaign in entertaining fashion, fighting back after falling behind inside seven minutes to eventually beat Clermont 4-2. It was a solid start for new boss Adi HĂĽtter who was "pleased with the result", especially considering Monaco ended the previous season with three consecutive losses!
The Austrian coach now aims to guide Monaco to back-to-back victories to start the season for the first time since 2017/18 – a season when they went on to finish second – as they again aim to rub shoulders with Europe’s elite. The Monegasques have certainly strengthened in the transfer market with the high-profile arrival of midfielder Denis Zakaria from Juventus, a player they’ll be hoping can help them to a third-straight H2H victory.
A new era provided the injection of positivity needed at Strasbourg after a sobering 2022/23 campaign, as they won their first game under Patrick Vieira 2-1 against Lyon. That victory left the Frenchman “satisfied” as Le Racing opened a league season with a win for the first time since 2018/19, but they’d be wise not to get too carried away.
Strasbourg now intend to rely on youth to end a wait of over 30 years without opening a new Ligue 1 season with two wins, as none of their six signings this summer are over 20 years old! However, by selling Habib Diallo to Al-Shabab this week, Strasbourg took the risk of parting ways with the striker who was involved in over 40% of their goals in Ligue 1 last season.
Players to watch: Monaco’s Vanderson could quickly make a mark again, having scored in the opening 30 minutes last weekend, just as he did in the corresponding H2H in April. For the visitors, Strasbourg will hope Emanuel Emegha can find the net, after leading his team to a win in 11 of his last 12 goalscoring appearances (D1).
Hot stat: The previous seven H2Hs held here to see a winner have all seen the victorious side on the day score 3+ goals.