Reigning French champions Monaco have a chance to consolidate their spot in the Ligue One Champions League spots when they host struggling Lille at the Stade Louis ll on Friday night.
Monaco are currently second in Ligue One, but a massive 17 points behind big-spending leaders PSG. The priority for Leonardo Jardim’s team is now to clinch the second automatic Champions League spot in the French top-flight.
The home side are currently four points clear of third-place Marseille, who occupy the Champions League qualifier spot. With OM facing a difficult game this weekend against Lyon, Monaco could move a big step closer to securing second spot with a win here.
Monaco are 14 games unbeaten in Ligue 1, having won five of their six games in the French top-flight. Jardim’s team has also been prolific of late in Ligue One, scoring at least two goals in their last nine games in the league.
The home side has also won seven of their last eight Ligue One games on home soil, with the only blip a 2-1 reverse against league leaders PSG.
Lille are currently 19th place in the Ligue 1 table, but just one point away from safety after a poor recent run of form. The visitors have won just once in their last nine league games and have failed to win in their last six league outings. Last time out they drew 1-1 with Montpellier.
The visitors have a poor recent away record in Ligue One, losing four of their last six outings on their travels in the league while winning just once in the process. Lille’s recent away games in Ligue 1 have also been high scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in eight of their last ten league games on their travels.
Forebet predicts that Monaco will record a victory in a high scoring encounter to aid their bid to clinch an automatic Champions League spot this season.