Ligue 1 Predictions | Round 30: Monaco host Strasbourg before Rhône-Alpes derby | OneFootball

Ligue 1 Predictions, Round 30

GFFN editor-in-chief  Luke Entwistle and GFFN’s  Raphaël Jucobin face off in our Ligue 1 predictions competition. It’s three points for a correct score, two points for a correct score difference, and one point for a correct result. Who will come out on top at the end of the season?

SCORES

Raphaël: 159

Luke: 189

Game of the week: AS Monaco v RC Strasbourg Alsace, Saturday 18:00 (UK)

Monaco’s topsy-turvy second half of the season continued against Marseille as Adi Hütter’s side bounced back from defeat to Brest the previous week to blow Marseille away. A close first-half gave way to a more one-sided encounter in the second half with the Principality club running out 3-0 winners. Hütter did, however, admit that the scoreline was somewhat “flattering”. Regardless, there was a crucial clean sheet and strong performance from Philipp Köhn in goal. It was a performance that was long overdue but it comes at a good time and should fill him with confidence going forward. It is too early to say that Monaco’s defensive issues have been resolved but there is clearly a greater balance with Hütter emphasising the need to bring greater defensive solidity. That has been done without overly compromising the attacking output.

Monaco’s home form has been excellent this season. The Principality club have won all six of their games at the Stade Louis II this season and that has included some tricky ties against Nice and Marseille most notably. The stadium has become something of a fortress with only PSG and Angers winning there this season. But Strasbourg’s away form is also strong. Liam Rosenior’s side have won their last four on the road, however, Monaco will provide the stiffest test. There was a setback last week as Nice grabbed an injury-time equaliser to snatch a point that saw Les Alsaciens drop out of the Champions League places. It would only take a win for them to regain their place but that draw against Nice felt like a defeat and it could be a result that has mental repercussions for this young side. They will be desperate to bounce back against Monaco but doing so will be extremely difficult. An over-zealousness or a naivety may come into play for Strasbourg and despite their recent run, they will be ever-so-slight underdogs on this occasion.

Raphaël’s full predictions

Luke’s full predictions

GFFN | Luke Entwistle