Monaco vs Toulouse

Stade Louis II sets the stage for Monaco’s must-win Ligue 1 encounter against bottom-half underachievers Toulouse.

Monaco got their stuttering pursuit of a coveted top-three finish in Ligue 1 with a pulsating 3-2 win against Nice last weekend, ending a lackluster three-game winless league run (D2, L1). Winning back-to-back top-flight outings for the first time since December is imperative for Adi Hutter’s side, as they could finish this round anywhere between second and sixth. ‘Les Monégasques’ must address their embarrassing home form to increase their chances of reaching one of the two remaining Champions League qualification spots after going winless in their last three top-flight outings in the principality (D1, L2). Another failed attempt to get into the win column would see them equal their longest Ligue 1 run without winning since 2019. But they’ll be confident of avoiding that feat after racking up five victories in their last six home H2Hs against Toulouse (L1).

Meanwhile, visiting Toulouse conceded two second-half penalties in a gut-wrenching 2-1 defeat to Benfica in midweek Europa League action, making it three defeats from their last four outings in all competitions (W1). From European qualification in 2022/23 to a season-long fight against relegation in 2023/24, the visitors head into proceedings stuck in 14th, only one point clear of the bottom three. However, there’s a positive for Toulouse, as they’ve won their last two away league matches by a single-goal margin following a dismal eight-game winless top-flight run on the road beforehand (D3, L5). Away goals have been at a premium for ‘Le Tefece,’ as they’ve averaged just 0.81 per Ligue 1 travel this term. But they will be confident of troubling the scoresheet after scoring in their last four away league games against Monaco.