Monaco's Derby Without Fall
Fifth hosts second in a principality grudge match, and the home side must manage without the striker who has made their season sing.
A derby with the table leaning on it: fifth-placed Monaco, nineteen points from nine games, welcome second-placed Marseille, three clear, on 28 October. Both have spent the autumn near the summit; only one of them can leave this one comfortable.
The immediate problem for Monaco is Boubacar Fall, pulled knee ligaments, joining Merouane Mokrani on the absent list. Fall and Xabi Zoilo together have been the season's engine, and without Fall the side looks a good deal less sure of itself. The expected 4-4-2 still has Zoilo up front, with Steven Igwe — a goal, an assist and two clear chances made in his last five — asked to carry more of the load from midfield. Behind them, Cristian Avrămescu has been the quiet constant, averaging 7.36 across his last five.
Marseille arrive in good voice: three wins in five, Alex Mahe with two goals and two assists in his last five, and Eric Geyer in the kind of mood that ruins a full-back's afternoon. Geyer's 7.55 average against Gruff French's 6.96 is the duel to watch, and the pace numbers lean Geyer's way. On the other flank, Javier Jiménez (7.32) against Arnau (6.7) is Monaco's best hope of an answer.
History offers little comfort to the hosts. Marseille won April's meeting 4-1, and another 3-1 in May 2062; Monaco's 2-1 in November 2062 is the lone recent reply. Louis Tourenne and Andreu Prieto miss out for the visitors, and Jacques Wamba's recent form (6.47 across three) is a crack Monaco will want to find.
One small footnote: Rico Bodenmann, four games for Marseille across three seasons, now wears Monaco's colours. He will not need the rivalry explained to him.