Preview: AS Monaco vs. Lille

Having finally picked up their first points of the season last weekend, AS Monaco will host Lille in Ligue 1 this Saturday as they look to build on their new-found momentum.

Last season's runners-up made a hugely disappointing start to the new campaign, losing their opening two matches to plummet into the relegation zone.

However, a 1-0 victory away to Nantes last Sunday prevented Leonardo Jardim's side from becoming the last remaining pointless team in the division, and Monaco will now look to kick on from that win.

Further improvement is certainly needed, and Jardim won't need telling that his side were fortunate to come away with all three points from Nantes.

The hosts missed a first-half penalty and struck the woodwork late on, but Radamel Falcao's header on the stroke of half time proved to be enough.

Monaco may not be able to rely on Falcao for too much longer, however, with reports constantly linking him with a move away from the club.

One player who has arrived this week is centre-back Wallace, but he is unlikely to feature this weekend.

In contrast to Monaco, Lille have made a fine start to the new domestic season, dropping just two points from their opening three games to sit third in the early standings.

Manager Rene Girard will be particularly pleased with his side's defence, which is yet to be breached in the league.

However, there was disappointment in Europe this past week as Lille were eliminated from the Champions League in their playoff against Porto, losing the second leg 2-0 on Tuesday to complete a 3-0 aggregate defeat.

A place in the Europa League now beckons for the club, but the loss of potential income from missing out on the Champions League could force Girard to let a couple of players go before the end of the transfer window.

Girard also has a defensive issue to worry about this weekend as Marko Basa is out for up to four weeks with a hamstring injury, while fellow centre-back Simon Kjaer is struggling with a groin strain from midweek.

Recent form

Monaco: LLW

Lille: DDWLWL

Possible starting lineups

Monaco: Subasic; Fabinho, Raggi, Carvalho, Kurzawa; Kondogbia, Toulalan, Moutinho; Germain, Falcao, Ocampos

Lille: Enyeama; Corchia, Beria, Rozehnal, Souare; Gueye, Mavuba, Balmont; Mendes, Roux, Origi

Sports Mole says: 1-0