Lorient v Monaco

Lorient vs Monaco Preview

Lorient will be hoping to bounce back from a heavy 3-0 defeat last time out in the French top flight in this Sunday's lunchtime showdown with the early Ligue 1 leaders, Monaco, when the two teams meet at the Stade Yves Allainmat as the domestic top flight season resumes after the recent international break.

Lorient had previously produced a pretty solid start to this new Ligue 1 campaign as the hosts had put together a three-match unbeaten run which included holding last season's Ligue 1 title winners, PSG, to a 0-0 draw at the Parc des Princes as well as picking up a point in a 1-1 draw at home with Nice and then inflicting a comprehensive 4-1 thrashing over Lille in the following game.

However, Lorient headed into the break on the back of a somewhat unexpected 3-0 defeat away from home at newly promoted Le Havre, so the hosts will be keen to make amends in their own backyard on Sunday.

This may be easier said than done though for Lorient as league wins for the home side have been sporadic rather than consistent which is underlined by the fact that Lorient have managed to muster just four wins from their last 15 matches overall.

Monaco have made a promising start to this new Ligue 1 season which would have been welcomed in the upper echelons of the clubs hierarchy after fizzling out in dismal fashion at the end of last season's campaign, losing their final three games of last term on the trot.

Losses to Lyon, Rennes and Toulouse were a poor way to finish last season but nevertheless, Monaco have hit the ground running this term as the visitors sit top of the Ligue 1 table after collecting three wins in their opening four games of this new campaign.

Victories against Clermont, Strasbourg and Lens have helped lift the principality club up into top spot and the visitors will no doubt be looking for more of the same in Sunday lunchtime's clash at the Stade Yves Allainmat as Monaco look to fend off PSG and the chasing clubs with a win here.

Results away from home have also been encouraging for Monaco as they have lost just three of their previous 15 outings on the road in the French top flight along with picking up seven wins in the process; Monaco have also scored at least once in 13 of these previous 15 away games, so they look likely to hit the back of the net in this upcoming encounter as well.

Lorient v Monaco Verdict

Four of the previous six meetings between Lorient and Monaco have resulted in both teams scoring and this trend looks set to continue on Sunday with both sides keen to make a positive start when the season resumes this weekend.

Therefore, our main bet will be Both Teams To Score Yes @ 1.57

Other side bets worth considering:

Draw @ 3.80

Correct score: 1-1 @ 7.50