Red-hot Monaco dey ready to continue their push for top-three finish as dem welcome fellow Champions League hopefuls Marseille to Stade Louis II for Sunday high-profile clash. The Principality club sit sixth for Ligue 1 table, three points behind the visitors wey occupy third with just seven games left to play.
The race for Ligue 1 top three don intensify as we dey enter final stretch. At least five teams dey firmly for contention for third place; only five points separate Marseille, Lyon, Lille, Monaco and Rennes. From inconsistencies, the Principality club don drag themselves into that pack, winning each of their last six league games. No other team for the division match that perfect run.
Monaco most recent outing end for 2-1 victory at Lyon, where second-half strikes from Maghnes Akliouche and Folarin Balogun secure comeback triumph. That one further underline the Red and Whites attacking efficiency. Sebastien Pocognoli men don score at least twice for each of their last eight matches across all competitions. The only fixtures dem fail to win for that sequence come for both legs of their Champions League playoff round elimination against Paris Saint-Germain.
Victory this weekend go not only strengthen Monaco charge for return to Europe elite but also see the Principality club register seventh consecutive top-flight triumph for only the fourth time for their history. The Red and Whites go dey confident of achieving that feat, having won each of their last four home league matches.
That result mark second defeat for five league matches under Habib Beye, who replace current Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi. Marseille also recently suffer Coupe de France elimination at home to Toulouse. Return to away action offer some encouragement for the Olympians, who record clean sheet victory for their most recent road trip. But conceding at least twice for each of the five such games prior to that success highlight the defensive challenge dem face here.
Furthermore, Marseille don lose all five away fixtures against teams currently for top seven this term. Visits to Monaco rarely produce positive outcomes, with defeats for nine of their last 14 competitive trips. Nevertheless, Les Phoceens fit draw confidence from their 1-0 win for the reverse fixture earlier this season. That one offer the chance to complete first league double for this matchup since 2007-08.
Monaco dey deal with several defensive concerns ahead of Sunday clash, with multiple players potentially unavailable for back. Full-backs Caio Henrique and Vanderson remain sidelined with thigh problems. Centre-back Mohammed Salisu continue recovery from serious knee injury, with attacking midfielder Takumi Minamino also nursing similar issue.
For more positive news, Aladji Bamba, who dem force off last time out, don pass fit. Paul Pogba don return to light training following lengthy layoff and feature for friendly against Brentford U-23. Monaco go likely rely on Balogun for attack, with the United States international set to spearhead the line after scoring for five consecutive Ligue 1 matches.
Marseille, meanwhile, go dey without leading scorer Greenwood, who no only dey battle fitness issue but also suspended due to accumulation of bookings. That present opening for Nwaneri, who don struggle to nail down his place as regular starter since joining on loan for January. However, the teenager go enter this encounter full of confidence following his goal against Lille and encouraging displays during international break.
Morocco defender Nayef Aguerd also remain unavailable as he continue recovery from groin injury following surgery.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
