Monaco vs Lille: Top-of-the-Table Clash as Unbeaten Monaco Look to Extend Dominance

Monaco will be eager to shake off the international break and resume their impressive Ligue 1 campaign after a near-flawless start. With six wins and one draw (W6, D1), they sit atop the table, marking their fourth unbeaten run through the first seven matches of a season in their Ligue 1 history. Their 19-point tally is the best they’ve managed at this stage since the 1960/61 season when they secured their first top-flight title.

Monaco’s dominance isn’t a fluke. No team has won more Ligue 1 games in 2024 than Monaco, who have collected 16 victories, putting them level with Paris Saint-Germain for the most points earned this year (53). The Stade Louis II has been crucial in this success, with Adi Hütter’s side winning seven of their last eight home league matches (D1).

Lille, currently fifth in the table, also found some momentum before the international break with three consecutive wins. This included convincing 3-0 and 2-1 victories over Le Havre and Toulouse in Ligue 1, along with a standout 1-0 triumph over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.

However, extending their winning streak in Monaco will be a challenge. Lille hasn’t won any of their last 12 Ligue 1 visits to Monaco (D7, L5), making the Stade Louis II a difficult ground to conquer. Bruno Génésio’s side will need to be ready for a high-stakes battle, with 10 of the last 13 meetings between these two teams featuring goals from both sides.

Key players to watch include Monaco’s teenage sensation Eliesse Ben Seghir, who has netted his last four goals between the 60th and 75th minutes, with three of those proving to be match-winners. On the Lille side, Edon Zhegrova could be crucial, having scored four of his last six goals after the 75th minute.

A key stat to note: in ten of Lille’s last 12 away games, the half-time result has matched the full-time outcome, suggesting the early momentum in this match could be decisive.