Monaco vs Valencia Preview and Prediction – 25/08/2015
Champions League football tips – Monaco vs Valencia prediction
Monaco will be pleased at the return of El Shaarawy after a small injury, however João Moutinho has now been ruled out until September. With only one win in four Monaco will probably reshuffle slightly as they have only played the same defence once in successive matches over that same period. A 4-3-3 formation could be adapted into a 4-1-2-3 in order to accommodate one holding midfielder, likely to be Toulalan.
With the departure of Otamendi to Manchester City, Vezo looks likely to retain his position alongside Mustafi at the centre of defence. Enzo Pérez has picked up a knock and looks unlikely to start which could see Javi Fuego come into the midfield. Valencia looked good with Rodrigo and Feghouli on the wings, both supplying pace and a goal apiece against Monaco in the first leg.
Possible Line-ups
Monaco: 4-1-2-3 formation: Subasic; Kurzawa, Carvalho, Wallace, Raggi; Toulalan; Pašalić, Tavares; El Shaarawy, Martial, Dirar
Valencia: 4-3-3 formation: Ryan; Gaya, Mustafi, Vezo, Barragan; De Paul, Javi Fuego, Dani Parejo; Rodrigo, Negredo, Feghouli
Statistics
- Monaco have won 6, drawn 3 and lost 1 of their last 10 matches
- Valencia have won 4, drawn 3 and lost 3 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Monaco have scored an average of 2 goals and conceded an average of 0.8 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Valencia have scored an average of 1.3 goals and conceded an average of 1.1 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 6 of Monaco’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Valencia’s previous 10 matches
- During only the 2nd official encounter between the teams last week Valencia earned themselves a 3-1 win. Valencia’s last visit to the Stade Louis II also resulted in a vicory in 2004 versus Porto
Prediction
Valencia disappointingly drew 0-0 in their first league game of the season after dispatching Monaco in the first leg of this tie. The loss of Otamendi hasn’t affected their defence that badly as of yet, but with an average of 1.3 goals a game in their last ten games, finding the back of the net will be the biggest concern.
Monaco have also had an average start to the league campaign and need to pick up the pace if they are to catch PSG who are four points better off. If they can settle on a cohesive defensive setup they will settle easier into the season. It seems they have their work cut out against Valencia this time around.
Had Monaco not conceded two goals late on in the first leg the situation would be a lot different. However with just one loss in their last eleven European home games, I think Monaco will avoid a loss.
We say: A draw at 12/5 with Bet365
What are your predictions?