In the pick of the games this weekend in Ligue 1, Monaco welcome Strasbourg to the Stade Louis II in a meeting between two in-form sides.
Monaco got the better of Marseille in a top-three encounter last weekend, while Strasbourg were cruelly denied yet another win late on against Nice.
Match preview
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If recent form continues, then these will be the two clubs that join Paris Saint-Germain in the league phase of the Champions League next season, with France only guaranteed three spots.
A convincing 3-0 win over Marseille last weekend moved Adi Hutter's Monaco back into second place just a week after they surrendered that position in the table to Roberto De Zerbi's men.
That means Monaco start the weekend one point above Marseille, two ahead of fourth-placed Lyon, and three points ahead of the chasing pack in the Europa League places.
Their ascent up the table has been down to their scintillating home form, with Hutter's men having won six in a row at the Stade Louis II, their best streak since 2017, when they were crowned French champions.
Since losing to Angers at the start of November, Monaco have won eight out of nine Ligue 1 games here, scoring 29 goals in the process, with PSG the only team to take anything from the principality in that time.
It is therefore no surprise that Monaco have taken a very impressive 2.33 points-per-game at home in Ligue 1 this season, and continuation of that will see them qualify for the Champions League once again.
Strasbourg have also been favourable opponents recently, currently on a run of five straight wins in this fixture.
The most recent came in the reverse fixture back in November when Monaco recorded a 3-1 win at the Stade de la Meinau, and that was their 50th victory over Strasbourg in Ligue 1 - no team has beaten the Alsace club as often in the top flight.
An even better omen for Monaco ahead of this fixture is that they have won 25 of their previous 29 matches at home to Strasbourg, but the hosts must be wary that the visitors are currently playing at a level not seen in many decades.
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Strasbourg have won 14 games and taken 50 points from their opening 29 games of the season, their best since the 1996-97 campaign, when they eventually tailed off slightly and finished ninth.
Liam Rosenior's outfit are set to improve on that though, given their brilliant form so far in 2025 which has seen them win 71% of their league games since the turn of the year - a percentage which would be their best ever in a calendar year if they are able to maintain it.
They could have added another win on the board were it not for Youssouf Ndayishimiye's 94th-minute equaliser for Nice last weekend though, as Strasbourg were held to a 2-2 draw at home, ending their five-game winning run.
Rosenior's side fell from fourth to sixth as a result, but they remain well placed to take a shot at the top four, while European qualification looks assured, as long as PSG win the Coupe de France, with the gap down to eighth now at six points.
Team News
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There was some concern in the Monaco ranks last week when Mika Biereth was forced off with injury in the second half, ending his hot streak of scoring in every home match for the club since signing in January, while also making him a doubt for this one.
Soungoutou Magassa returned from injury to make the bench last weekend, but Kassoum Ouattara and Jordan Teze are not set to be ready in time to play here.
Strasbourg could also be missing an important player, with Dilane Bakwa doubtful after picking up a knock late in the draw with Nice a week ago.
Mamadou Sarr is struggling with a hamstring injury for the visitors, while Diego Moreira remains suspended, but the versatile Valentin Barco was able to shift effortlessly from central midfield to left wing-back to cover for the Portuguese's absence last weekend.
After an impressive display against Nice, young English winger Samuel Amo-Ameyaw looks to have dislodged Sebastian Nanasi from the starting XI, and he can expect to keep his place in the side here.
Monaco possible starting lineup:
Kohn; Vanderson, Singo, Kehrer, Caio Henrique; Zakaria, Camara; Akliouche, Minamino, Golovin; Biereth
Strasbourg possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Doue, Omobamidele, Doukoure; Diarra, Andrey Santos, Lemarechal, Barco; Bakwa, Emegha, Amo-Ameyaw
We say: Monaco 1-0 Strasbourg
Monaco have tightened up defensively, conceding just four goals in their last six games, after giving up 19 in the eight matches prior, and they should provide Strasbourg's sternest test for quite some time.
Rosenior's side have been nothing short of brilliant in 2025, but this will be a very challenging assignment for them, and their results against fellow top-seven clubs has not been ideal this season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Andrew Delaney
