Monaco vs St Etienne Predictions

Monaco vs St Etienne predictions ahead of this Ligue 1 affair. After an impressive pre-season win over Barcelona, Monaco return to Ligue 1 action on Saturday night, hosting newly-promoted Saint-Etienne at Stade Louis II. Continue reading for our Ligue 1 predictions and bets for the fixture.

Ligue 1 | Aug 17, 2024 at 8pm UK at Stade Louis II

Monaco vs St Etienne Predictions

Will Monaco Start Their Ligue 1 Campaign with a Statement Victory Against Saint-Etienne?

Monaco will begin their Ligue 1 campaign on Saturday evening as they host the newly promoted Saint-Etienne at the Stade Louis II. Fresh from an impressive pre-season, where they dismantled Barcelona in a 3-0 victory, Adi Hutter’s side will be looking to carry that form into the domestic season. Meanwhile, Saint-Etienne, having clawed their way back into the top flight through the promotion playoffs, face a daunting task in their opening fixture.

Monaco’s Quest for Glory

Monaco enter the 2024-25 season with high aspirations after finishing second in Ligue 1 last season, comfortably securing the runners-up spot behind Paris Saint-Germain. Adi Hutter’s side maintained a consistent presence at the top end of the table throughout the previous campaign, showing resilience and quality even as PSG asserted their dominance. With the club’s return to the Champions League after a six-year absence, there is a renewed sense of optimism in the principality.

The departure of Wissam Ben Yedder, who had been Monaco’s talismanic figure for five years, poses a significant challenge. However, the club’s recruitment in the summer suggests they are well-prepared to fill the void. Breel Embolo, who had a solid season last year, will be expected to shoulder more of the goalscoring burden. Additionally, the acquisition of Folarin Balogun from Arsenal adds firepower to the attack. Balogun’s potential to shine in Ligue 1, combined with the creative talents of Takumi Minamino and Aleksandr Golovin, makes Monaco a formidable force.

Monaco’s pre-season performances, capped by the emphatic win over Barcelona, indicate that Hutter’s side are ready to hit the ground running. The team’s statistics from last season support this optimism: they averaged two goals per game, with 15.2 shots per match, including 6.2 on target. These figures underline their attacking prowess, which they will be keen to exploit against a Saint-Etienne side that could be vulnerable.

Defensively, Monaco also appear robust, having kept 12 clean sheets in Ligue 1 last season. The arrival of Thilo Kehrer from West Ham United bolsters their backline, and with players like Mohammed Salisu and Caio Henrique providing stability, Monaco will be confident in their ability to shut out their opponents.

Saint-Etienne’s Uphill Battle

Saint-Etienne's return to Ligue 1 marks the culmination of a determined effort to regain their top-flight status after two seasons in Ligue 2. Under the guidance of Olivier Dall'Oglio, who took over midway through last season, Les Verts mounted an impressive run to secure promotion via the playoffs. Their dramatic victory over Metz in the playoff final demonstrated the team’s fighting spirit, but the challenge of surviving in Ligue 1 will be far more demanding.

Saint-Etienne’s squad, while strengthened in key areas, remains a work in progress. The departure of key attackers like Irvin Cardona and Dylan Chambost, who played pivotal roles in their promotion push, leaves a gap in their offensive capabilities. The team’s pre-season form has been inconsistent, with notable wins over Montpellier and Villarreal offset by losses to Getafe and other lower-tier sides. This inconsistency raises questions about their readiness for the rigours of Ligue 1.

The reliance on players like Ibrahima Sissoko and Zuriko Davitashvili to lead the attack could be a double-edged sword. Sissoko, who was their top scorer last season, will need to find his form quickly, while Davitashvili, a new signing, has yet to prove himself at this level. Saint-Etienne’s defense, led by Anthony Briançon, will also face a stern test against Monaco’s potent attack.

Defensively, Saint-Etienne were solid in Ligue 2, conceding just 31 goals in 38 matches and keeping 19 clean sheets. However, the step up to Ligue 1 will expose them to more sophisticated and relentless attacks, as seen in their recent struggles against top-tier opposition in pre-season. The absence of Yvann Macon, who is suspended for this match, further weakens their backline, and the responsibility will fall on the likes of Dennis Appiah to step up in his place.

Key Areas of the Field and Potential Duels

The midfield battle will be critical in determining the outcome of this match. Monaco’s central trio, likely to include Denis Zakaria, Lamine Camara, and Aleksandr Golovin, will aim to dominate possession and dictate the tempo. Their ability to transition quickly from defence to attack could overwhelm Saint-Etienne’s midfield, which may struggle to keep up with the pace and physicality of their counterparts. Florian Tardieu and Monconduit, who are expected to feature in the heart of Saint-Etienne’s midfield, will need to be at their best to disrupt Monaco’s rhythm.

In defence, the duel between Monaco’s Folarin Balogun and Saint-Etienne’s central defenders, Anthony Briançon and Yunis Abdelhamid, will be one to watch. Balogun’s movement and finishing ability make him a constant threat, and any lapse in concentration could prove costly for Saint-Etienne. On the flanks, Takumi Minamino’s creativity and ability to cut inside will pose significant problems for Saint-Etienne’s full-backs, particularly in the absence of Macon.

Monaco’s strategy will likely revolve around pressing high up the pitch and forcing Saint-Etienne into mistakes. The hosts’ ability to sustain pressure and create chances from turnovers could be decisive. Saint-Etienne, meanwhile, might opt for a more cautious approach, focusing on defensive solidity and looking to exploit counter-attacks. However, their lack of pace and precision in the final third could make this strategy ineffective.

Expected Gameplay and Tactical Approaches

Monaco are expected to take the initiative from the outset, dominating possession and applying pressure on Saint-Etienne’s defence. Hutter’s side will aim to stretch the game, using the width provided by their full-backs and wingers to create space in the middle for their strikers. The combination of Minamino’s dribbling and Golovin’s vision will be key in unlocking Saint-Etienne’s defence.

Saint-Etienne, on the other hand, are likely to adopt a defensive posture, focusing on maintaining a compact shape and limiting the space available to Monaco’s attackers. Dall'Oglio may instruct his team to sit deep and absorb pressure, hoping to hit Monaco on the counter. However, given their limited attacking options and Monaco’s defensive solidity, this approach might lead to a one-sided contest.

Managerial Strengths and Weaknesses

Adi Hutter’s experience and tactical acumen make him a formidable manager in Ligue 1. His ability to instill discipline and extract maximum effort from his players was evident last season as Monaco secured second place. Hutter’s emphasis on a balanced approach, combining defensive solidity with attacking flair, has made Monaco a well-rounded team. However, his reliance on high-intensity pressing can sometimes leave his team vulnerable to quick transitions, a potential weakness that Saint-Etienne might try to exploit.

Olivier Dall'Oglio, on the other hand, faces a steep learning curve. While he deserves credit for guiding Saint-Etienne back to Ligue 1, his tactical approach has often been overly cautious. This conservatism might be detrimental in matches where his team needs to be more proactive. Dall'Oglio’s inability to adapt quickly to changing in-game situations could be exposed against top-tier opposition like Monaco. His decision-making in crucial moments will be under scrutiny, especially in how he sets up his team to cope with Monaco’s attacking threats.

Predictions

Best Bet: Monaco -1 to Win

Given Monaco’s superior quality across the pitch and their impressive pre-season form, a victory with a margin of at least two goals seems highly probable. Monaco’s dominance in both attack and defence, coupled with Saint-Etienne’s potential struggles to adapt to Ligue 1, supports this prediction. The odds of Monaco winning by more than one goal provide good value, reflecting the disparity between the two teams.

Correct Score Prediction: Monaco 3-0 Saint-Etienne

Monaco’s attacking prowess and Saint-Etienne’s likely defensive posture suggest a one-sided affair. A 3-0 scoreline reflects Monaco’s ability to break down Saint-Etienne’s defence while keeping a clean sheet. This prediction aligns with the expectation of a comfortable win for the hosts, as evidenced by their recent performances.

Goalscorer Prediction: Folarin Balogun to Score Anytime

With Wissam Ben Yedder no longer in the squad, Folarin Balogun is expected to step up as Monaco’s main goalscoring threat. His sharpness in front of goal and ability to exploit defensive weaknesses make him a prime candidate to score in this match. Backing Balogun to find the net at any point during the game is a well-founded choice, given his role and form.

First Half Result Prediction: Monaco to Lead at Half Time

Monaco’s tendency to start games strongly, as evidenced by their early goals in pre-season, makes them likely to be leading at the break. Saint-Etienne may struggle to cope with the initial onslaught, making Monaco’s lead at half-time a strong possibility.

Innovative Market: Total Corners Over 10.5

Considering Monaco’s attacking style and their average of 5.4 corners per game last season, along with Saint-Etienne’s tendency to concede corners under pressure, this match could see a high number of corners. Betting on over 10.5 corners in total could be a shrewd move, reflecting the anticipated dominance of Monaco and their persistent attacks.

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