This Sunday will see an enthralling fixture as reigning Ligue 1 champions Monaco, who edged past Metz with a 1:0 scoreline, will play Marseille, who could only manage a draw against a persistent Angers. With what might be the first battle of a war for second place, we’re hoping to see fireworks when these two sides meet. However, could either team overcome each other convincingly as a warning to PSG? Or will it be the close exciting game that pundits and fans are expecting?
Monaco vs. Marseille
3-Way: 1: Monaco -137; X: +330 Draw; 2: Marseille +484
Spread -0.5: Monaco -137; Marseille +147
Total +3: Over +104; Under -110
Monaco
Monaco staggered to victory over a tough Metz defense to make it three wins out of three for Leonardo Jardim’s side. The first half was fairly uneventful, with Monaco coming closest through Falcao as he controlled the ball beautifully from the air, but failed to test the keeper with the following volley. More chances came in the second half, with Falcao coming close from a headered cross which agonizingly hit the base of the post. Another chance saw towering centre-back Kamil Glik nearly score from a corner, but his header was magnificently saved by the Metz goalkeeper. Eventually, one of their chances hit the back of the net, after nice work from new signing Rachid Ghezzal and a lovely lofted ball to Falcao, whose touch took it round the onrushing keeper and allowed an opening for him to slot home for his fifth goal of the season and the only goal of the game.
On balance, Monaco deserved to win the game as they created a decent amount of chances and a total of fifteen shots, and also kept their first clean sheet of the season. Furthermore, that Falcao goal means that Monaco has now won fifteen league games on the trot, a record for Ligue 1 and a sign of a great French side. In addition, the win also signifies the first time in 26 years that Monaco has a 100% record in their first three games.
Despite the solid performance, there are some major concerns and doubts over Monaco starlet Kylian Mbappé, who seems to be on the verge of signing for domestic league rivals Paris Saint-Germain for roughly 150 million euros. This would be disastrous for Les Rouges et Blancs, as Mbappé scored 26 goals in all competitions last season and they are literally handing these goals over to direct Ligue 1 rivals. However, rumors are saying that they will get one of Julian Draxler, Javier Pastore or Lucas Moura in return on top of the huge fee, all of whom would be strong replacements. Further outgoings could be Thomas Lemar to Manchester United, although the move looks unlikely at this point after Monaco seem to be closing the door on any more transfers out.
Manager Leonardo Jardim will have a full squad selection for Sunday’s match, other that goalkeeper Loic Badiashile who is out with a shoulder injury.
Marseille
Marseille disappointed their home fans in a 1:1 draw with Angers at home, but still maintained their unbeaten status in Ligue 1. Les Olympiens started promisingly with a Clinton N’Jie goal after 17 minutes, as N’Jie controlled the ball with his back to goal, surrounded by defenders, then improvised to touch the ball over his head and then volleyed home on the turn, adding his third goal of the season.
Following the goal, Marseille found it difficult to break down a resilient Angers defense and also conceded a few chances when they were caught on the counter, culminating in an Angers equalizer in the 70th minute through a curling shot round the outstretching hand of Steven Mandanda’s and into the goal, following another counter attack. Although it was a cracking strike it could be said that the Marseille defenders should have made a greater effort to get in the way of the shot.
Marseille continued to be unable to penetrate the Angers defense, and their frustration led to a red card for a reckless high-footed challenge from Lucas Ocampos, after he tried to regain the ball in the opposition’s half but he was far too late. The final whistle meant that both sides remained undefeated in the league.
Comparing to their first two games, it was a poor result for Marseille, with their first game without a win and the first game in which they conceded a goal. Furthermore, the performance was relatively toothless as Marseille did not have enough penetration to get through the Angers defense, managing a measly three shots on target, despite having 64% of possession.
Saying that there were a couple of positives, one being that Marseille has now extended their unbeaten run to fourteen games (including friendlies). Another positive is new signing Clinton N’Jie who looks like a bargain at under 7 million Euros after adding his third goal in three games and on average has scored a goal every 48 minutes. Furthermore, Marseille has outperformed last season’s start of four points from nine, with seven points from nine this season.
Marseille have made few moves in the transfer window recently, with left-back Jordan Amavi on loan from Aston Villa is the most recent addition. Furthermore, Marseille has no strong links to any further signings.
Manager Rudi Garcia will have a full squad selection for Sunday’s game, other than centre-back Adil Rami who will be out with a wound.
Monaco vs. Marseille- MATCH PREDICTION
Monaco has had an excellent start to their league campaign, and the team looks completely unfazed by disappointing transfer developments. In their last game to Metz, their defense looked stronger while they still seem capable of hurting teams going forward, especially with Falcao spear-heading the attack. Add to this that they have won their last fifteen league games and have beat Marseille their last two league encounters convincingly, 4:0 and 4:1.
However, Marseille looks like an improved side from last season with solid additions, especially forwards Mariano Diaz and Clinton N’Jie who look like real threats to any opposition. Add to this that Marseille are unbeaten in fourteen matches and the game looks more evenly matched.
Overall, I would predict a very entertaining game on Sunday, and will probably be the game to watch over any other game this league campaign so far. Saying that, I feel like Marseille has slightly more vulnerabilities in their side than Monaco, and unless they really turn up I think they will be narrowly beaten by Monaco.
MY PICK: Monaco to win (-137)
Additional Pick: Both teams to score YES (-145)
