Monaco vs Caen Predictions

Caen have lost six and drawn two of their last eight matches which has seen them drop like a stone to the foot of the table. They are now many people’s favourites for the drop despite being just two points away from the play-off place. Under Fabien Mercadal they have just not offered enough at either end of the pitch as they are currently the third worst defensive and fourth worst attacking side in the league. They have conceded 13 goals in their last four matches, including a 5-0 obliteration in their last game which sent them into the international break with a lot to think about. 

This team doesn’t have a lot of quality in it as it stands but with them losing joint top scorer Casimir Ninga to injury on Tuesday, the outlook for les Caennaise faithful has just got all the more bleak. Caen have only scored six goals in their last ten matches and with Ninga scoring four of these, Caen really need someone to step up and be counted in this match. 

Monaco haven’t really been able to get up and going since Leonardo Jardim was reappointed as manager but they are now unbeaten in their last seven games, a feat they have not achieved since March 2018. Their form has been stunted by draws with Angers and Bordeaux but it looks like they should finally be on the up as they beat 2nd placed Lille just before the break.

Carlos Vincinius scored a late winner to see them up to 16th in the table but they need to really capitalise on this performance with another win here as they have failed to be really clinical against the weaker teams since Jardim’s return. The aforementioned draws with Angers (2-2) and Bordeaux (1-1) were clear indicators of the problems that are still in the team but with them currently the only team outside of PSG to be unbeaten in their last five matches, there is finally confidence to match the quality in this Monaco side, they need to show that against Caen though. Last year Monaco were known for being great attackers as they scored a whopping 85 goals, this year they have only managed 29 which is a massive drop but with the in-form heads of Falcao and Gelson Martins in the squad, they should be looking to drastically improve on this number between now and the end of the season. 

Monaco have scored eleven goals in their last seven matches and face a Caen side with 13 conceded in their last five so we’re predicting goals. With Ninga expected to miss this match, we doubt Caen will get on the scoresheet as Monaco haven’t conceded from open play in any of their last three home games. Monaco look full of confidence at the moment but we can’t see them obliterating Caen to the same extent that Saint-Étienne did as they have struggled to show their true colours against the league’s weaker sides. Just one of their last five games have seen over 2.5 goals and as a result we’re backing them to win 2-0.