Preview: Monaco vs. Reims

Monaco are still yet to be defeated in Ligue 1 since the turn of the year and next host Reims on Friday night.

Claudio Ranieri's side are still in the hunt for the French title and go into this weekend's fixtures five points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

With Radamel Falcao on the long-term injury list, Dimitar Berbatov will be hoping to make his first start for Monaco after missing the 2-0 win at Bastia on Saturday.

Aymen Abdennour is also missing for the hosts, who take on a Reims side that have closed to within three points of fourth place with two wins on the bounce over Guingamp and Bordeaux.

Hubert Fournier could be without Franck Signorino, while Mohamed Fofana, Antoine Conte and Kossi Agassa are expected to miss out.

The last time the pair met was in October when Reims knocked Monaco out of the Coupe de la Ligue. The reverse league fixture finished 1-1.

Recent form

Monaco: WDDWWD

Reims: WWLDLW

Possible starting lineups

Monaco: Subasic; Fabinho, Kurzawa, Carvalho, Abidal; Moutinho, Toulalan, Kondogbia; Rodriguez, Berbatov, Riviere

Reims: Placide; Signorino, Tacalfred, Mandi, Weber, Krychowiak, Oniangue, Atar, Albaek, Fortes, De Preville

Sports Mole says: 2-1