Preview: Caen vs. Monaco

Monaco will be looking to get their Ligue 1 title bid up and running again on Friday night when they make the trip to Caen.

Leonardo Jardim's side have drawn their last two games in the league, but a win at the Stade Michel d'Ornano would keep the pressure on leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

Caen

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Caen found themselves in the Ligue 1 relegation battle last month, but four points from two games have seen them climb towards the top half of the table.

Patrice Garande's team bounced back from consecutive defeats to Bordeaux and Lorient to draw with Metz and earn a 2-1 victory away to Nantes.

Their victory over Nantes was particularly dramatic as Thomas Lemar netted a 93rd-minute winner to see his side leave the Stade de la Beaujoire with the spoils.

While their away form has been respectable, Caen's poor home form this season has seen them take just 18 points from a possible 45. In total, they have suffered seven defeats from 15 in front of their own fans.

However, they have fared better away from their own ground thanks to a return of 20 points from 16 matches.

Caen will be looking to Julien Feret and Herve Bazile to cause the Monaco defence problems on Friday, with the pair netting 11 goals between them so far this season.

Recent form: WWLLDW

Monaco

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Monaco have seen their Ligue 1 title bid come off the rails in recent weeks thanks to two consecutive draws.

Last season's runners-up head to Caen in fourth place in the table, seven points adrift of leaders PSG.

The team's last outing saw them held to a goalless draw at home to Montpellier HSC as the hosts were frustrated by Rolland Courbis's men.

Meanwhile, their last victory came on March 22 when they saw off Reims 3-1 thanks to goals from Fabinho, Anthony Martial and Nabil Dirar.

Monaco have struggled in the final third this season, scoring just 36 times in their 31 matches so far. Their top scorer is Dimitar Berbatov, who has found the net on six occasions.

However, they currently boast the best defence in the French top flight, conceding 22 times and keeping 16 clean sheets. Monaco also have the top away record with nine victories in their 15 encounters on the road.

A draw on Friday would mark the second time this season that they have shared the spoils in three consecutive league games.

Recent form: DWWWDD Recent form (all competitions): WWLWDD

Team News

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Leonardo Jardim could be tempted to rest a number of key players ahead of his side's Champions League quarter-final first leg away to Juventus on April 14.

The visitors have no fresh injury concerns, though Lacina Traore and Tiemoue Bakayoko remain on the sidelines.

Ricardo Carvalho could be back for Monaco after missing his team's last two games. The Portuguese defender recently declared himself fit.

Caen, who will be without Yrondu Musavu-King, are expected to name a full-strength side as they push for safety.

Caen possible starting lineup: Vercoutre; Appiah, Da Silva, Felipe Saad, Imorou; Koita, Kante, Seube, Feret, Bazile; Privat

Monaco possible starting lineup: Subasic; Fabinho, Abdennour, Carvalho, Kurzawa; Toulalan, Kondogbia, Moutinho; Dirar, Ferreira-Carrasco, Martial

Head To Head

This season's reverse fixture at the Stade Louis II produced a four-goal thriller as Joao Moutinho's equaliser 15 minutes from time salvaged Monaco a point after Caen had come from behind to lead.

Overall, Caen have been the dominant team down the years with five victories compared to Monaco's four. There have also been seven draws in their 16 previous encounters.

Both sides also share an identical goals-per-game record during the current campaign, scoring an average of 1.33 goals every 90 minutes.

© Sports Mole / SM

We say: Caen 0-2 Monaco

Caen have enjoyed an upturn in fortunes in recent weeks, but they are expected to find life tough against a Monaco side that is in need of the points to boost their challenge for the Ligue 1 crown. The visitors are likely to be given a stern test by the hosts, though their superior quality across the pitch should see them over the line come the final whistle.