Paul Higham is backing Ligue 1 bad boys Lille to continue their streak of picking up bookings away from home as they visit Monaco on Friday night…
“No Ligue 1 team has seen more yellow cards than Lille this season and they’ve had 23 bookings in their last five away games.”
Monaco v Lille
Friday 19 November 20:00 kick-off
Live on BT Sport 3
These two both played their part in a thrilling Ligue 1 title race last season but instead of their Friday night clash being a top-of-the-table meeting it’s a messy encounter between two mid-table sides.
Champions Lille aren’t really doing anything to defend their title as they sit in 12th and without a win in their last four games, while Monaco are only marginally better sitting just one place and two points above the champions.
Monaco have at least started to perform at home with three straight wins at the Stade Louis II, and that bodes well against a Lille side that have not travelled well at all this season.
Lille’s title triumph was built on their fantastic away form, which saw them win 12 of their last 14 on the road, but it’s just one win away in seven so far. Their defence has also seen a huge drop-off from last term, with the 19 goals conceded so far the most at this stage of a season for 32 years.
Lille’s defence could be just what Monaco need as they’ve failed to score in their last three in all competitions with Niko Kovac not being able to celebrate a goal for his team in 298 minutes of football. No team in Ligue 1 has scored in fewer games than Monaco.
Jonathan David would be the star attraction here for Lille but he’s a doubt for the game after picking up an eye injury playing for Canada on Tuesday night – he also only arrived back in France on Thursday so freshness may be an issue for the eight-goal striker.
Monaco are an odd side at the moment, but combine the fact they’ve scored three in each of their three home league wins on the spin with Lille’s defensive record and the home side’s goal drought should come to an end here.
But if we’re looking for a best bet, you have to look towards bookings as both of these sides are among the bad boys of Ligue 1 – Lille in particular as no team has been shown more than their 33 yellow cards this season.
This is a big game, Lille boss Jocelyn Gourvennec is under pressure with Nuno Espirito Santo’s name being spoken about as a replacement, so he’ll have his side fired up and they hardly need that as away from home they really put their foot in.
Lille have had six, five, three, five and four yellows in their last five away games, and Friday’s referee Willy Delajod has dished out 13 cards in his last three outings so while he’s in the mood for bookings we can cash in here.
Four bookings for Lille here is well within reach.
Source: BetFair French
