What will happen on Friday night in Monaco, when two sleeping giants of Ligue 1 clash?

Two titans of French football, who are both stuck in mid-table, lock horns at the Stade Louis II on Friday night, as Monaco welcome Ligue 1 champions, Lille.

Niko Kovač’s outfit currently sit in 11th place in Ligue 1, while Lille sit one place and two points below Monaco.

The hosts will have to make do without two suspended regulars for this encounter, with defender Benoît Badiashile and playmaker, Aleksandr Golovin missing out due to a build-up of yellow cards.

Axel Disasi should replace Badiashile in the backline, while Sofiane Diop or Krépin Diatta could take Golovin’s place on the right, with Diop’s potential change of position enabling Kevin Volland to return in attack.

Eliot Matazo and Cesc Fabregas are set to remain on the treatment tables for the hosts, who could also decide to recall Caio Henrique at left-back, in place of Ismail Jakobs.

Meanwhile, Lille also have a suspension to consider, following Amadou Onana’s late sending off against Angers, but the 20-year-old was never likely to be given a starting role here.

Tiago Djaló looks likely to keep his place in defence, alongside José Fonte with Sven Botman (groin) still a couple of weeks away from a comeback. Meanwhile goalkeeper Léo Jardim is still out of action with a neck injury.

Yusuf Yazici will hope to come into contention for more starts, if Les Dogues continue to struggle, but Burak Yilmaz and Jonathan David’s partnership in attack should not be broken up just yet, even with the former now goalless in six Ligue 1 matches.

While both clubs are a long way from where they would ideally like to be at this point in the season, Monaco’s great form at home, coupled with Lille’s appalling form on the road, only suggests a Monaco victory in this game. Our prediction is 2-0 to the hosts!