As the French Ligue 1 resumes after the international break, AS Monaco will host Lille at Stade Louis II on Friday, October 18, 2024, at 21:45.
Monaco has started the season strong, remaining unbeaten in their first seven matches, which includes a recent 2-1 victory over Rennes that secured their spot at the top of the table. With six wins and only four goals conceded, they boast the best defensive record in Ligue 1. Despite a minor setback with a 1-1 draw against Lens, Monaco has consistently scored two or more goals per game this season. Their confidence is further boosted by a solid start in the UEFA Champions League, highlighted by a win over Barcelona.
Lille, meanwhile, has also shown promise, particularly in the Champions League with a notable victory over Real Madrid. Domestically, they have experienced mixed results, bouncing back from a tough start to secure wins against Le Havre and Toulouse, alongside a thrilling draw against Strasbourg. However, they face challenges, including recent defeats and a daunting away record against Monaco, where they last won in 2019.
In terms of team news, Monaco will be without Diop, Balogun, and Salisu, while Zakaria’s participation is uncertain. Lille will miss André due to suspension and several key players due to injury, including Haraldsson and Umtiti, with the fitness of Mbappé also in question.
This matchup promises to be a thrilling contest as both teams look to strengthen their standings in Ligue 1. With Monaco’s strong home form and Lille’s determination to improve, fans can expect an exciting clash at Stade Louis II.
Paris SG vs Strasbourg
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will host Strasbourg at the Parc des Princes on Saturday at 21:00 CET. Following a recent 1-1 draw against OGC Nice that saw them lose their top spot to AS Monaco, PSG aims to bounce back against a resilient Strasbourg side managed by Liam Rosenior.
Strasbourg has made a strong start to the season, currently sitting in 7th place with only one defeat in their opening seven matches—their best start since 1995. However, they have faced setbacks in recent away games, leading against both Lyon and Lille but ultimately conceding late equalizers.
In his pre-match press conference, Rosenior expressed confidence in his team’s ability to secure a result against PSG. “It’s going to be a challenging game against a very good team, but we’re continuing to work and won’t change our ideas. We know we can get a result there,” he stated.
Strasbourg will be without suspended players Ismaël Doukouré and Guèla Doué but has nearly a full squad otherwise. Meanwhile, PSG’s Presnel Kimpembe has returned to training but is unlikely to feature, and Gonçalo Ramos and Lucas Hernandez remain sidelined due to long-term injuries.
With both teams looking to solidify their positions in the league, this match promises to be an exciting encounter as Rosenior’s Strasbourg seeks to break a long-standing winless streak against PSG.
All Ligue 1 Matchday 8 fixtures:
Friday 18th October:
20:45 – Monaco vs Lille
Saturday 19th October:
17:00 – Brest vs Rennes
19:00 – St. Etienne vs Lens
21:00 – Paris SG vs Strasbourg
Sunday 20th October:
15:00 – Le Harve vs Lyon
17:00 – Auxerre vs Reims
17:00 – Nantes vs Nice
17:00 – Toulouse vs Angers
20:45 – Montpellier vs Marseille
