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

Meanwhile, the visitors come into this clash after two successive victories in all competitions.

Match preview

The reigning Ligue 2 champions have enjoyed a steady start to life back in the top flight in France, as they currently sit 11th in the table on 16 points.

Philippe Montanier's side had picked up points from every domestic fixture in October up until they locked horns with Lens last week.

Lois Openda's hat-trick ensured that Lens made it seven home wins from seven, and the result marked Toulouse's first defeat in four games.

Openda was introduced in the 56th minute, and just four minutes later, he grabbed his first goal of the game and his fifth of the campaign.

The striker then sealed the points four minutes from time before completing his hat-trick in the closing moments, ending a six-game goal drought in spectacular style.

While they are not in relegation danger now, Toulouse could be positioned higher in the standings than they currently are, having dropped nine points when leading in the second half of a match this season.

Defensively, Toulouse only conceded 33 goals in their Ligue 2 title-winning campaign last year, but they have already shipped 23 after just 13 games going into this weekend.

Meanwhile, Monaco enjoyed an emphatic 4-1 win over Red Star Belgrade last time out in the Europa League, courtesy of a hat-trick from Kevin Volland and an own goal from Milan Rodic.

The victory means that Monaco have won consecutive home games in Europe for the first time since winning four straight matches in the Principality in the 2016-17 Champions League, when they made it to the semi-finals.

That result also secures a knockout round playoff game for the French outfit, as they finished second in Group H behind Ferencvaros.

Domestically, Les Monegasques wrapped up October with a 2-0 victory over Angers thanks to second-half strikes from Breel Embolo and Aleksandr Golovin.

In addition, their away form this season has been particularly impressive, winning four of their six Ligue 1 fixtures on the road.

A 4-3 defeat against Lille in Monaco's last away league outing perhaps raises doubts over their credentials, but having not lost back-to-back away league games since October 2021, it seems likely that Philippe Clement's side will bounce back here.

Toulouse Ligue 1 form:

L

W

D

W

D

L

Monaco Ligue 1 form:

W

W

W

D

L

W

Monaco form (all competitions):

L

D

L

D

W

W

Team News

Rasmus Nicolaisen will return for the hosts after being suspended for the game against Lens.

Last season's top scorer Rhys Healey is still sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury, while Rafael Ratao is set to miss out here due to illness.

Philippe Clement may reshuffle the pack ahead of the trip to the Stadium de Toulouse due to the Europa League commitments in midweek, but Kevin Volland will be eager to keep his place up top after scoring a hat-trick.

Wissam Ben Yedder has nine goals in 18 appearances in all competitions for Monaco, however, Breel Embolo is the club's top scorer in Ligue 1 with six, so Clement has attacking options at his disposal.

Vanderson was replaced by Krepin Diatta in the Europa League clash against Ferencvaros with an apparent cramp, but he came on as a substitute versus Angers and Red Star Belgrade, so he may be deemed fit enough to get the start here.

Toulouse possible starting lineup:

Dupe; Desler, Rouault, Diarra, Sylla; Spierings, Van den Boomen, Dejaegere; Aboukhlal, Dallinga, Chaibi

Monaco possible starting lineup:

Nubel; Disasi, Maripan, Badiashile, Henrique; Diatta, Fofana, Camara, Golovin; Ben Yedder, Volland

We say: Toulouse 0-2 Monaco

Monaco are the third-highest scorers in Ligue 1 this season having scored 25 goals across their 13 matches.

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