The opening match of the 2017-18 French Ligue 1 season will be an encounter between Monaco and Toulouse. Bookmakers are of course on the future hosts’ side, i.e. the footballers of Monaco. Whereas it should be noted, that the Monegasques had a number of losses in the midseason and now, to regain the former conditions the team will require some time. Toulouse, in their turn, are a very decent French side with a good player roster, which is able to give battle to the current Monaco.
Monaco have already managed to play one official match, the Super Cup match against PSG that is. The Monegasques scored a goal in the game, but the team didn’t manage to hold the score. The Parisians used the opponents’ mistakes in the second half of the encounter and showed high level of skill.
Toulouse prepared for the upcoming season playing friendly matches. The sparring partners of the team were Rodez, Nimes, Alaves, Montpellier, Osasuna. It is important to note, that all the encounters ended with defensive results and basically Toulouse were a defensive team in 2016-17 season, especially in away matches. In 19 matches outside their native walls within 2016-17 Ligue 1 season, Toulouse managed to win only two games with eight draws and nine defeats, nine goals were scored and 23 conceded.
Monaco are clearly stronger, than Toulouse, but the Purples know, how to defend well, which is seen by the statistics of the last season. Monaco, in their turn, may be the champions of France, but the team currently isn’t that dangerous, as a year before.
Prediction for the match: Under 3.5 goals in the match
