Monaco to move step closer to Ligue 1 title with victory over Lille
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This weekend will see Monaco host Lille at the Stade Louis II, as they look to secure the Ligue 1 title for the first time in 17 years. Lille will travel to Monaco on Sunday, 14th May, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm BST.
The club last won the league back in the 1990/2000 season, but struggled in the years that followed. After a brief spell in Ligue 2, Monaco are back to their best and now just need two more victories to confirm what seems to be the inevitable. With games against Saint-Etienne and Stade Rennais to follow this weekend’s game, Monaco will be confident of claiming nine points from a remaining nine.
However, while they lead the pack, now is not the time to take it easy, with current champions Paris Saint-Germain breathing down their necks. They sit just three points behind Leonardo Jardim’s side with two games left to play and will be ready to pounce if the opportunity presents itself.
Yet, there is little chance of Monaco suffering a last minute disaster, given that they have suffered defeat just three times throughout the season. They remain undefeated in 2017 and have lost just once at home so far. With two home games left to play, it appears that Monaco’s victory is all but confirmed.
Despite putting together a decent run of back-to-back 3-0 wins last month, Lille suffered a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to mid-table side FC Metz last time out, which is likely to have left them short of confidence going into this tie. Worse yet, they will be facing France’s most lethal goalscorers, who have recorded 98 goals so far.
Given the firepower at Monaco’s disposal, it’s hard to see the club not walking away with three more points on the board. Between them, Monaco’s front two of Kylian Mbappé and Radamel Falcao have 52 goals and 17 assists in all competitions this season and will be keen to add to their tally in the final few weeks. Lille struggled to contain the league leaders at home, where they suffered a 4-1 defeat back in September, and will likely have a tougher task on their hands on Sunday.
Yet, there is a glimmer of hope for Lille, given that Monaco will have had little time to rest following their midweek Champions League clash with Juventus. The high-flying club will return from Turin on Wednesday, giving them just three full days to prepare. Regardless, Jardim’s side will know what’s at stake and are likely to do exactly what is required on Sunday, securing three points and taking another step towards the title.
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