http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AS-Monaco-FC-c38466 vs. Olympique de Lyonnais – French Ligue 1 preview
On May 29, 2011, at Stade Louis II in Monaco, relegation-threatened AS Monaco would host Olympique de Lyonnais in a Ligue 1 encounter where defeat could spell an end to AS Monaco’s time in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899’s topflight football.
Only three points can save Les Monegasques from relegation but their task could become harder as Olympique de Lyonnais need a win to secure the third place in the league standings, a position that will put them close to their aim of playing in the UEFA Champions League next season.
2000th game – good/bad omen
The game would be AS Monaco’s 2000th Ligue 1 game. Coach Laurent Banide is hopeful that the 2000th game would not be remembered as the game which got the club got demoted to the lower echelons of French football. The last time AS Monaco were relegated was in 1976. All this could change if Les Monegasques loose to Les Gones, a tempting fate as Lyon are fighting for their place in next season’s edition of the Champions League.
Champions League dream
Olympique de Lyonnais are currently in third place with 61 points. Only two points separate Claude Puel’s team from fourth place Paris Saint-Germain who are on 59 points. A win would ensure Lyon a place in the qualifying rounds for the UEFA Champions League but a defeat or even a draw could give PSG an initiative. Les Parisiens would be playing Saint-Etienne on the same day (May 29) and would be hoping that Lyon slip-up.
Probable starting XI
AS Monaco
Chabbert; Bonnat, Puygrenier, Hansson, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Adriano-c3773; Gosso, Nkoulou; Moukandjo, Coutadeur, Malonga; Park
Olympique de Lyonnais
Lloris, Reveillere, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ederson-c11880
Team News
Monaco
There could not have been a worst possible time to have injury worries for coach Laurent Banide. Stephane Ruffier is a major doubt after the goalkeeper picked up an injury during training, while http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lukman-Haruna-c22939 is suspended while Djimi Traore and Moussa Maazou are long-term absentees.
Lyon
Claude Puel also has major selection headaches ahead of this encounter. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Yoann-Gourcuff-c37416 is also sidelined with injury. Bafetimbi Gomis is also out injured.
Facts and figures
Monaco
If Monaco lose this match, it would be the fourth relegation in the club’s history. A draw might be enough should the results in other games in Ligue 1 go their way. This season, Les Monegasques have not been beaten at home by any of the top seven teams in the league.
Lyon
Lyon have been poor away from home this season. Les Gones are without a win in their last five away games, a statistic that AS Monaco might find interesting. Furthermore, Claude Puel’s side have conceded 70 percent goals in the second-half of the4 season. However, Les Gones have not lost in the last seven games against Monaco.
Prediction
With Monaco looking desperate to stay in Ligue 1 and Lyon failing to perform away from Stade Gerland, a win for the home side cannot be ruled out.
Predicted final score: Monaco 1-0 Lyon
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