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

Heading into this encounter Les Monegasques are winless in four consecutive matches in all competitions, while Angers have lost their last four league fixtures and are dead last in the table.

Match preview

Consistency from one match to another has been an issue for Monaco in October, as they find themselves in seventh after 12 league games.

They have managed to score first in all but two encounters this month but have struggled to finish off their opponents lately, squandering a 1-0 lead to draw two of their last three matches in all competitions.

After losing back-to-back league fixtures at home in August, Philippe Clement's men have managed to collect at least a point in three straight domestic affairs in Monaco.

As unpredictable as this team have been this season, they have bounced back quickly from poor results and have not lost consecutive top-flight fixtures since August 2021.

Les Monegasques have won 73% of its Ligue 1 home fixtures against Angers (19/26), their highest percentage versus a current opponent in the top flight.

Monaco have found the back of the net in 21 of their last 22 league fixtures played a Stade Louis II as the last time they were shut out at home was in February versus Lorient (0-0).

The results for Angers have looked more respectable, but this team are struggling to find ways to earn points, dropping three successive league matches by a single goal.

Last Sunday, they had a point within their grasp before conceding an injury-time strike to Lovro Majer as Rennes came away with a 2-1 triumph.

Gerald Baticle has had a hard time getting his players organized defensively, as Les Scoistes have conceded a league-high 29 goals this season, 13 of which have come away from home.

The former French striker is under a lot of pressure to improve their form on the road, as Angers have only won three of their 24 Ligue 1 affairs away from home since Baticle took charge.

Angers have picked up just eight points after a dozen league fixtures, their worst start to a campaign counting three points for a win since 1974-75 when they had six points after 12 matches and eventually wound up in 18th.

All it takes, though, is one victory for everything to change, as Angers are just a point behind Strasbourg for 16th, which would equal a return into the top-flight next season.

Monaco Ligue 1 form:

W

W

W

W

D

L

Monaco form (all competitions):

W

W

L

D

L

D

Angers Ligue 1 form:

W

W

L

L

L

L

Team News

Wissam Ben Yedder has a goal in his last two matches in all competitions, scoring for Monaco in their 1-1 draw versus Ferncvaros this week, while Alexander Nubel picked up a clean sheet in this exact fixture last season which his side won 2-0.

Mohamed Camara missed their previous domestic encounter with a red card suspension, Vanderson was replaced by Krepin Diatta just before half-time of their Europa League clash on Thursday with an apparent knock, while Kevin Volland was in the opening lineup for that match, his first start since August 28.

Clement made a few changes to his starting 11 against Lille from the side that began their match versus Clermont with Benoit Badiashile, Eliot Matazo and Diatta replacing Guillermo Maripan, Camara and Takumi Minamino.

Amine Salama had the only goal for Angers in their previous encounter, his second in his last two league games, while Nabil Bentaleb scored his second of the campaign in their last road fixture, which they lost 3-2 against Toulouse.

Ulrick Eneme Ella and Ali Kalla should be back next week from their knee problems, while Yahia Fofana is dealing with a meniscus injury.

Lois Diony might not be back until late May because of an issue with his ACL, and Souleyman Doumbia should return in mid-November from his ankle sprain.

Monaco possible starting lineup:

Nubel; Henrique, Badiashile, Disasi, Aguilar; Golovin, Y. Fofana, Diatta; Embolo; Ben Yedder, Volland

Angers possible starting lineup:

Bernardoni; Valery, Hountondji, Amadou, Mendy, Sabanovic; Hunou, Bentaleb, Ounahi; Salama, Boufal

We say: Monaco 2-0 Angers

Not only have Monaco had plenty of success in the top-flight against Angers, but they are also going up against a vulnerable defensive unit who have been far too passive at the back.

Angers allow too many clear-cut opportunities, something that we expect Les Monegasques will be able to take advantage of on Sunday.

Previews by email