The stakes are high for Monaco and Red Star Belgrade, who are both still in the hunt for a place in the next round of the Europa League when they face off at Stade Louis II on Thursday.
For Monaco, a victory would assure them of a knockout round playoff game at the very least, while Red Star need a win and a defeat or draw by Trabzonspor to move into a top-two position.
Match preview
© Reuters
Like their Europa League group stage campaign a season ago, Les Monegasques have scraped through their matches thus far, doing just enough to get by on occasion but rarely impressing.
Philippe Clement saw his side get off to an ideal start in Hungary versus Ferencvaros, taking the lead just past the half-hour mark, though they sat back after scoring and paid the price, conceding the equaliser with fewer than 10 minutes remaining.
Had they been able to hang onto that lead, they could be primed for an automatic berth in the round of 16, but as it stands right now, they would need a three-goal victory on Thursday and a Ferencvaros defeat to clinch first place.
One of the few consistencies that we have seen from them in this season's competition is their ability to win back possession, leading the Europa League in balls recovered (215).
A victory on Thursday would be the first time that Monaco have won consecutive home games in Europe since winning four straight matches in the Principality in the 2016-17 Champions League when they made it all the way to the semi-finals.
They come into this contest unbeaten in four consecutive home matches in all competitions, conceding a goal or fewer in each of those fixtures.
© Reuters
Another close game finally went their way on matchday five as Red Star came away with a 2-1 victory versus Trabzonspor to get themselves right back in the mix for a spot in the following round.
The reigning five-time Serbian SuperLiga champions have been their own worst enemy at times in the group stage, losing three games by a single goal, conceding a penalty in a 1-0 defeat to Monaco, while a red card on matchday two against the Turks ultimately cost them a point.
Should they fail to get into the top two on Thursday, it would be the first time this team did not advance from the group stage of this competition since finishing bottom of their group in 2007-08, when it was still known as the UEFA Cup.
Red Star are winless in 13 straight matches versus French opponents in European competitions, losing all four of their last such games and conceding three or more goals on three occasions.
They have lost three consecutive away fixtures in Europe, winning just one road game in a European competition this season, blanking Pyunik 2-0 in Champions League qualifying.
Domestically, playing away from home has not been a problem, with Belgrade capturing five straight road fixtures in league play and winning their opening match at the Serbian Cup 2-0 on the road at Macva Sabac.
- L
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Wissam Ben Yedder had the only goal for Monaco in their draw on matchday five, Axel Disasi is third in balls recovered at this competition (38), while Breel Embolo had the lone strike from the penalty spot in their triumph versus Red Star on matchday one.
Embolo and Aleksandr Golovin each scored this weekend as Les Monegasques defeated Angers 2-0, with Alexander Nubel making four stops to collect a clean sheet.
Vanderson was replaced by Krepin Diatta on matchday five with an apparent cramp, but he came on as a substitute versus Angers, taking the place of Malang Sarr, while Benoit Badiashile returned to the lineup in their previous Europa League clash after sitting out of their defeat against Trabzonspor because of a suspension.
Aleksandar Pesic has five goals in his last four matches in all competitions for Belgrade, as he and Aleksandar Katai each scored in their matchday five triumph.
Guelor Kanga has made the most successful long passes of any outfield player in the Europa League this year (38), while captain Milan Borjan has only conceded once in his last five domestic contests away from home.
Manager Milos Milojevic made three changes to his opening lineup from matchday four to five as Nemanja Milunovic, Slavoljub Srnic and Osman Bukari replaced Marko Gobeljic, Sekou Sanogo and Mirko Ivanic in the starting 11.
Monaco possible starting lineup:
Nubel; Badiashile, Maripan, Disasi; Henrique, Camara, Fofana, Vanderson; Golovin; Ben Yedder, Diatta
Red Star Belgrade possible starting lineup:
Borjan; Erakovic, Dragovic, Rodic, Gobeljic; Kanga, Sanogo; Bukari, Katai, Mitrovic; Pesic
We say: Monaco 1-0 Red Star Belgrade
It might not be pretty, but Monaco always seem to find a way to make it beyond the group stage of these competitions, allowing a goal or fewer in their previous six matches played at Stade Louis II.
The Serbs have played well and perhaps deserved better at times in the group stage, but they have not been as creative or attack-minded in Europe as they are domestically.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joel Lefevre
