Monaco – Trabzonspor : Preview & Prediction
After an emphatic 4-1 win over Nantes the previous weekend, Thursday’s game probably doesn’t come soon enough for an impressive Monaco side who have now won four straight games in Ligue 1. The picture hasn’t been quite as bright in the UEFA Europa League (UEL), but having three points after two Group H games keeps Monaco firmly in the hunt.
Level on three points with Trabzonspor, these back-to-back head-to-heads will likely play a big part in deciding Monaco’s UEL fate, but with a fairly even record in their previous ten games against Turkish opposition (G4, E2, P4), it’s hard to know what to expect from Monaco this time around. The Monegasques can be happy to be playing this game at the Stade Louis II, where they have lost only two of their last eight games in European competition (G3, E3).
It may not have been as convincing as Monaco’s, but Trabzonspor secured a win in their domestic league in preparation for this clash, beating Kayserispor 2-1 to extend their winning streak to three games. However, without a 90-minute win in their last seven away games in European competition (E1, P6), the prospects of extending that winning streak much further look dim for Abdullah Avcı’s side.
Despite that woeful European away streak, it has generally been a different story in France, where Trabzonspor are unbeaten in their three away games against French opposition in UEFA competitions (G2, E1). But extending that run will likely require Trabzonspor’s defence to be working flat out considering they currently record a run of 15 UEL matches conceding at least one goal.
Players to watch: Breel Embolo scored the decisive goal in Monaco’s UEL win over Red Star Belgrade and has opened the scoring with his last three goals. Trabzonspor are likely to look to Anastasios Bakasetas for inspiration, as he played an important role with six goals in his last five appearances at club level (three goals, three assists).
Weekend stat: Only one of Monaco’s last nine home games in the UEL has registered three or more goals.
Monaco – Trabzonspor : Betting Tips
Monaco – Win Odds: 1.35
