Monaco vs Lens Prediction & Betting Tips (1 September)

AS Monaco established itself last year as the best team in France behind the untouchable PSG by finishing in 2nd place in the ranking, quite far behind PSG 9 points but still with a nice margin over his first pursuer 6 points. This season, the Principality club undoubtedly wants to do at least as well and even, why not, compete a little longer with the Parisians in the title race even if it will still have to compete in the Champions League. In any case, Adi Hütter's men launched this new exercise perfectly by winning their first two matches. After having difficulty getting rid of the promoted Stéphanois 1-0, the Rocher players went to win with authority against Lyon 0-2 last weekend.

Due to a complicated start to the season and 'a 2nd part of a rather failed exercise, RC Lens did not manage to obtain better than the final 7th place in the ranking. This still allows it to compete in the play-offs of the Conference League where the Artesian club got off to a good start by winning over Panathinaikos 2-1 before the return match which will be played on Thursday. Under the orders of Will Still who arrived during the summer, the Sang et Or also negotiated their first championship matches perfectly, winning first at Angers 0-1 then against Stade Brestois 2-0 last week.

This summer, serial scorer Wissam Ben Yedder left ASM. The Dutchman Boadu (Bochum, loan) and midfielders Camara (Al-Sadd), Lemaréchal (Strasbourg) and Fofana (AC Milan) also wanted to look elsewhere. In the opposite direction, central defender Matsima (Clermont) and midfielder Matazo (Royal Antwerp) are back after being loaned. The Monegasque leaders looked at the profiles of Mawissa (defender, Toulouse), the interesting Teze (PSV Eindhoven), midfielder Lamine Camara (Metz) and striker Ilenikhena (forward, Royal Antwerp). This team has still retained a large and interesting base with the Russian Golovin (6 goals, 6 assists last year), the Swiss internationals Zakaria and Embolo, the Japanese Minamino (9 goals, 6 assists), the American Balogun ( 7 goals, 5 assists) and the nugget Akliouche (7 goals, 4 assists). On the other hand, Golovin is injured at the start of the season along with the starting goalkeeper Majecki and the usual replacement Diop. The interesting Diatta could make his return while defenders Maripan and Matsima and midfielder Matazo should remain on the sidelines, dismissed by their coach. Finally, midfielder Camara will be suspended after being sent off against Lyon. Jean-Louis Leca hung up his gloves but his departure was offset by the arrivals of Koffi (Charleroi) and Petric (Nantes). Defender Malang Sarr (Chelsea), striker Nzola (Fiorentina), Moroccan winger Zaroury (Burnley) and former Brest player Martin Satriano (Inter, loan) have arrived.

Loaned last season, midfielder Spierings (Toulouse) and young striker Labeau-Lascary (Laval) are back in the squad. Conversely, striker Wahi (9 goals, 3 assists last year) left for OM while the rather disappointing Guilavogui joined Sankt Pauli on loan. Defense boss Kevin Danso is expected to take charge of AS Roma. The indestructible Sotoca (7 goals, 6 assists last year), the precious Saïd (7 goals) and the very active Pereira Da Costa (4 goals, 2 assists) are still there. Moreover, Saïd is off to a good start with already 2 goals in 3 matches in all competitions. Sent off at the end of the match against Brest, the full-back Machado will be suspended. The promising El-Aynaoui is injured and the little used Nzola is still in the recovery phase. The Dutchman Spierings and the usually starting midfielder Abdul Samed should not make the trip.