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

Les Monegasques have taken 10 points from a possible 12 this term, scoring 13 goals in the process, while Les Merlus have picked up five points so far.

Match preview

Lorient kicked off their campaign by holding Paris Saint-Germain to a goalless draw on the opening weekend, despite seeing just 22% of the ball while facing a barrage of 20 shots at the Parc des Princes.

Regis Le Bris's men followed up the unexpected stalemate against PSG with a 1-1 draw against Nice before thrashing Lille 4-1 in their third game of the season, but they were brought back down to earth prior to the international break.

Indeed, Les Merlus suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to newly-promoted Le Havre last time out, conceding all three goals after the break having dominated large spells of the opening exchanges.

As a result, Lorient find themselves on five points after four matches, meaning that Le Bris's side sit four points clear of the bottom three and two points shy of the European places.

It is worth remembering that Lorient built their 2022-23 campaign on the seventh-best home record in Ligue 1, losing just six of their 19 league encounters at the Stade du Moustoir, so the Brittany outfit will fancy their chances of halting Monaco's momentum.

It is safe to say that Monaco would not have wanted the international break to come when it did, as the Reds and Whites ripped through their early-season opponents in eye-catching fashion, securing three wins and one draw to remain unbeaten after four games.

Following a 4-2 thrashing of Clermont on the opening weekend - thanks largely to a brace from Wissam Ben-Yedder - Monaco claimed a 3-0 victory over Strasbourg, with a Takumi Minamino double preceding Ben-Yedder's clinching goal.

Minamo and Ben-Yedder scored once again as Adi Hutter's side were held to a 3-3 draw by Nantes, but Les Monegasques wasted no time in returning to winning ways, securing a dominant 3-0 victory over Lens before the international break.

Having already found the back of the net 15 times this term, Monaco average 3.75 goals per game in 2023-24, while Hutter's men have already bagged five goals more than PSG, Reims, Rennes and Le Havre.

It is also worth remembering that Monaco finished the previous campaign with the third-best away record in Ligue 1, losing just four of their 19 away league outings last term, so the Red and Whites will back themselves to extend their unbeaten streak in Brittany.

Lorient Ligue 1 form:

Lorient form (all competitions):

Monaco Ligue 1 form:

Monaco form (all competitions):

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Team News

Lorient are still without Quentin Boisgard, Igor Silva and Ayman Kari, who are all yet to feature this season due to injury, while Bamba Dieng is also expected to miss Sunday's clash.

Regis Le Bris have favoured a 3-4-2-1 formation this term, deploying Sirine Doucoure as the lone striker, with Bournemouth loanee Romain Faivre and 20-year-old forward Pablo Pagis operating behind Doucoure.

Formose Mendy, Julien Laporte and Montassar Talbi look set to occupy the centre-back spots this weekend, while Gedeon Kalulu and Vincent Le Goff will likely feature in the wing-back roles.

As for the visitors, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Edan Diop and Breel Embolo remain sidelined through injury, while former Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu may have to wait for his Monaco debut as he continues to step up his recovery.

The prolific front three of Wissam Ben-Yedder, Takumi Minamino and Aleksandr Golovin will continue to lead the way for Les Monegasques on Sunday, with Youssouf Fofana and Mohamed Camara anchoring the midfield.

Ben-Yedder has scored four goals in as many games this season, while Minamino has already contributed three goals and three assists, underlining Monaco's attacking threat.

Lorient possible starting lineup:

Mvogo; Mendy, Laporte, Talbi; Kalulu, Abergel, Ponceau, Le Goff; Faivre, Pagis; Doucoure

Monaco possible starting lineup:

Kohn; Singo, Maripan, Magassa; Vanderson, Fofana, Camara, Henrique; Minamino, Golovin; Ben-Yedder

We say: Lorient 1-3 Monaco

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