Preview: Clermont vs. Monaco - prediction, team news, lineups

The newly-promoted side fell to a dampening defeat at the hands of Rennes in midweek, while Monaco's fortunes improved with a 3-1 success over Saint-Etienne.

Match preview

Clermont's bright start to life in the top flight - with eight points from their opening four fixtures - has now been consigned to history, as Pascal Gastien was forced to witness his side succumb to a 6-0 thrashing away to Rennes in gameweek seven.

Teenage attacker Kamaldeen Sulemana netted a brace while Flavien Tait, Jonas Martin, Martin Terrier and Gaetan Laborde also got in on the act in midweek, and upcoming fixtures against Monaco, champions Lille and an in-form Lorient will not fill the Clermont faithful with confidence.

Nevertheless, the hosts' largely positive opening to the season sees them sit comfortably in 11th spot - a ranking which would certainly represent a successful season come May - but their winless streak in Ligue 1 now stands at five matches.

After keeping two clean sheets in their opening two games of the season, Gastien's side have now shipped a whopping 16 goals in their most recent five, which is the highest in the division alongside Bordeaux and their own defensive frailties.

It is hardly a surprise to see a newly-promoted outfit rank highest for goals conceded in the top flight, but Les Lanciers have navigated their first three home games in Ligue 1 unbeaten and will pull out all the stops to maintain that impressive record.

After an uncharacteristically poor start to the new season, Monaco finally appear to be clicking into gear, helped in no small part by the return to form of Wissam Ben Yedder following his brace in Wednesday's 3-1 success over Saint-Etienne.

With the tie delicately poised at 1-1 thanks to strikes from Kevin Volland and Denis Bouanga, Ben Yedder came off the bench to score with his first touch from the penalty spot before wrapping up the tie in the 86th minute against the 10-man Verts, who lost goalkeeper Etienne Green to a red card after 33 minutes.

Having taken seven points from the last 12 on offer in Ligue 1, Monaco are slowly but surely heading in the right direction after rising to 13th in the table, although Niko Kovac's side are still far from where they want to be in the division.

The visiting manager must also factor in his side's Europa League trip to Real Sociedad in midweek, meaning that some enforced rotation could come into play, but Les Monegasques have scored two goals in each of their last three away games and are certainly not short of attacking options.

Monaco and Clermont have not faced off since both sides plied their trades in Ligue 2, with Claudio Ranieri's Monegasques winning the most recent meeting 4-0 back in April 2013, during which now-Sevilla star Lucas Ocampos found the back of the net.

Clermont Ligue 1 form:

Monaco Ligue 1 form:

Monaco form (all competitions):

Team News

Clermont will welcome Johan Gastien back from suspension for the visit of Monaco, so former Barcelona starlet Oriol Busquets - no relation to Sergio - could drop out of the side.

Yohann Magnin and Nael Jaby may not be ready to make their comebacks just yet either, but Gastien otherwise has a full complement of players to work with, and the hosting manager will certainly ponder changes.

Jodel Dossou and Mohamed Bayo will both be holding out for recalls to the attack, while Vital N'Simba is an option for change at left-back.

Monaco have few concerns on the injury front as well, although Guillermo Maripan missed out against Saint-Etienne with a hamstring issue and may not be risked here either.

Kovac will likely shuffle the pack amid his side's hectic schedule, with Ben Yedder surely doing enough to warrant a start over Myron Boadu, whose slow start to life in Ligue 1 continues.

Gelson Martins and Aleksandr Golovin could also be reintroduced to the attack, and it would not be a surprise to see Jean Lucas or Cesc Fabregas enjoy a run-out in midfield either.

Clermont possible starting lineup:

Desmas; Zedadka, Hountondji, Billong, N'Simba; Gastien, Samed; Dossou, Khaoui, Rashani; Bayo

Monaco possible starting lineup:

Nubel; Aguilar, Disasi, Badiashile, Henrique; Martins, Lucas, Tchouameni, Golovin; Ben Yedder, Volland

We say: Clermont 0-3 Monaco

Clermont's first-ever stint in the big time has seen them post some respectable results so far, but Gastien's side are now learning the hard way just how demanding this league can be.

Meanwhile, Monaco boss Kovac was able to restrict some of his big-hitters to appearances from the bench in midweek, and a rotated Monegasques outfit should ease to another three points away from home.