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

Less than two weeks ago, les Monegasques lost for the second time in their last 18 domestic home fixtures, dropping a 4-1 decision to Lens, while ESTAC captured their first match of the new season, defeating Angers 3-1 last weekend.

Match preview

A well-thought-out tactical plan by Philippe Clement on Sunday was executed to near perfection by Monaco in the opening half-hour versus les Parisiens as the visitors tight marking was relentless and effective early on.

They were rewarded with the opening goal after 20 minutes, but Monaco seemed to hang back after taking the lead as the PSG fullbacks pressed les Rouges et Blancs throughout much of the second half, forcing them to play a low block, giving the home side plenty of openings which they eventually took advantage of when Neymar levelled the match from the penalty spot.

Clement said afterwards that he was satisfied with the outcome, praising his players for their solidarity, character and discipline against the most potent attacking force in Ligue 1.

Dating back to the previous domestic campaign, Monaco have conceded the opening goal at home in three consecutive matches in this competition but have come back to earn at least a point on two occasions.

Their defeat versus Lens earlier this season was the first time they had conceded four times at home since January 2020, when PSG beat them 4-1 in a domestic encounter.

Les Monegasques are unbeaten in their last 10 league fixtures in which they have scored the opening goal, with their last defeat coming at home to Reims in February of last season (2-1).

At long last, Troyes got their domestic campaign on track this past weekend, winning their first league fixture since a 3-0 triumph over Lille in early May of the 2021-22 season.

Bruno Irles saw his side play aggressive and on the front foot last Sunday for the first time in quite a while, with Troyes equalling their highest total of shots in a Ligue 1 affair (25) since Opta began analysing the competition.

It was also their joint-highest total for shots on target (11) after coming into their contest against les Scoistes as the only team in the top flight without a point this season.

Troyes have conceded seven goals in just two away fixtures in the 2022-23 competition and are winless in seven consecutive Ligue 1 games on the road.

The last time they won consecutive matches in the top-flight was in March of the previous campaign when ESTAC defeated Bordeaux (2-0) and Nantes (1-0) in a six day span, with their longest winning run of the top-flight last season being just two games.

ESTAC have conceded 11 goals after four domestic encounters, the most they have ever allowed to this point of a Ligue 1 campaign.

Monaco Ligue 1 form:

Monaco form (all competitions):

Troyes Ligue 1 form:

Team News

Kevin Volland scored his first of the domestic campaign on Sunday as a teasing throughball from Aleksandr Golovin put the German in behind the PSG defence as his left-footed drive beat Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Alexander Nubel stopped four of the five shots that he faced to preserve the point for his side, Wissam Ben Yedder is still searching for his first goal in this season's competition, while Sofiane Diop, Benoit Badiashile, Krepin Diatta and Breel Embolo all have one.

Shortly after notching the opener, Volland was replaced by Maghnes Akliouche due to an injury, Myron Boadu is out until early September because of a problem in his foot, while Willem Geubbels and Yllan Okou could be fully recovered from their muscle injuries.

Youssouf Fofana returned from his red card suspension on Sunday, while Vanderson missed their match versus PSG after receiving two cautions in the second half against Lens.

Renaud Ripart and Wilson Odobert each notched their first of the season for Troyes last weekend, while Mama Balde put home the winner in the second half, moving him into a tie for first on the team alongside Florian Tardieu as they have each scored twice.

Rony Lopes, Rominigue Kouame and Pape Ndiaga Yade each picked up their first assists of the campaign, putting them in a four-way tie for first on the team with Andreas Bruus.

Bruus and Karim Azamoum might not be available until next weekend because of a knee and ACL injury, respectively, while Abdu Conte should be back soon from a muscle strain.

Monaco possible starting lineup:

Nubel; Henrique, Badiashile, Maripan, Disasi; Lucas, Golovin; Martins, Camara, Fofana; Ben Yedder

Troyes possible starting lineup:

Gallon; Balde, Rami, Palmer-Brown, Salmier, Conte; Lopes, Kouame, Tardieu, Ripart; Ugbo

We say: Monaco 3-1 Troyes

Even with five at the back, Troyes have rarely looked comfortable defending this season, and we expect them to have a hard time containing a dynamic Monegasque attack who have plenty of offensive punch.

Monaco have won the last five contests against ESTAC and have never lost to them at Louis II, scoring eight goals in their previous three home outings versus Troyes.

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