Ligue 1 continues with 26th round games this weekend. Saturday brings us a match between Dijon and AS Monaco. Three important points are on the table. Monaco need points to continue their battle for Europa League spot and Champions League spot. Dijon on the other hand is trying to climb up from the relegation zone.
Dijon v Monaco - Season statistics
Dijon
As mentioned, Dijon is fighting for it's life in Ligue 1. Home team is currently 18th in 20 team league, leaving only Amiens and Toulouse behind. Dijon has 26 points and they are 1 point away from 17th place and two points away from 15th and 16th place. Dijon has 24 goals in 25 games, while allowing 31 goals. They have won 6 games, drawn 8 and lost 11.
As a home team Dijon is league average. They are 11th in home game standings with 5 wins, 5 draws, 2 losses and 20 points. Dijon has scored 17 home goals, while allowing 13. Mama Balde, Julio Tavares and Stephy Mavididi share the goal leader spot. Each man has 5 goals this season so far.
Monaco
Monaco has a long history as one of the best French teams ever. This season has been ups and downs and they are currently 5th in the league with 38 points. Overall Monaco has 11 wins, 5 draws and 9 losses. They have scored impressive 41 goals this season, which is second most in the league. Only PSG has more goal scored (67). While scoring a lot of goals, Monaco is also giving away lots of goals. 40 goals given away is fourth most in the league.
If Dijon is league average as a home team, Monaco is league average as a away team. Monaco is 9th best away team with 3 wins, 4 draws and 5 losses and 13 points. Monaco has scored 13 goals away, while giving away 19. Monaco has one of the best strikers in the league. Last months player of the month Wissam Ben Yedder has 16 goals this season and is leading the whole league in goals. Monaco's second best goal scorer Islam Slimani has 9 goals.
Dijon v Monaco - Form in past 5 games
Home team Dijon is currently on 4 game winless streak. In their past five games, Dijon has 1 win, 2 draws and 2 losses. One of the losses was in a French Cup, as they lost to PSG 1-6. In their last 5 league games Dijon has scored 9 and given away 9, which is little under 2 goals per game on average. 21-year-old Mounir Chouiar scored twice in Dijon's last game against Bordeaux. Mama Balde also has two goals in five games. Stephy Mavididi has 3 goals in 5 games.
Monaco is on 3 game winning streak after losing two league games in a row. Monaco has scored 6 goals in five games, while allowing 7. Monaco's three strikers Islam Slimani, Stevan Jovetic and Wissam Ben Yedder all have 2 goals in 5 games.
Dijon v Monaco - What to bet?
Monaco has had a very unstable season, but they are finally starting to find a rhythm. After two 1-3 losses Monaco has started to win games with low margins and their attacking force is turning games into their favor. Dijon is scoring a lot, but their defense is leaking big time. Against players like Ben Yedder there is no room for sloppiness.
Neither team has kept too much possession in their latest games, but Monaco is creating a lot of chances in their games. Both teams have some injuries, but only remarkable injury is on Monaco's line-up as Gelson Martins is out. Otherwise both teams get a good squad to start. Monaco has better material and their attacking line is deadly. If Dijon can't get their act together defence wise, Monaco will take the three points.
I'm picking Monaco cause of their current form and lethal attack force. It's likely that Ben Yedder scores, but we go with his team to win.
Dijon v Monaco - The pick
MONACO
OlyBet 1.96
Lapalingo 1.95
LeoVegas 2.00
