After facing a 2-0 loss in the first league in the UEFA Europa League against Sporting Braga, Monaco hopes to return to winning ways this week at Stade Louis II with kickoff at 8:45 pm.
Monaco and Sporting Braga are unlikely to reach the UEFA Champions League next season after losing in their domestic leagues.
Monaco suffered a 1–0 defeat at Strasbourg on Sunday in one of the club’s worst performances of the season. It was certainly the worst display from Les Monegasques since Philippe Clement took charge. Monaco failed to register a single shot on target at the weekend at Stade de la Meinau.
Clement’s troops are now nine points behind Lille in third place of the Ligue 1 standings. They will also face a difficult task to overturn a two-goal deficit from the first leg of this UEFA Europa League last 16 ties against Braga.
Portuguese outfit Braga has progressed to the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 after squeaking through two 1-0 wins over Moldovan opposition Sheriff Tiraspol. Portuguese coach Carlos Carvalhal’s men, will now face compatriots Monaco in the Europa League Round of 16.
However, Braga also suffered a loss to Gil Vicente on Sunday, falling behind Benfica and Sporting Lisbon in the race for the second position in Primeira Liga.
Monaco vs. Sporting Braga Head to Head
Both sides have two games against each other, with hosts still winless, whereas visitors with one win. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Strasbourg 1-0 Monaco
- Sporting Braga 2-0 Monaco
- Lyon 0-1 Monaco
- Nantes 2-2 Monaco
- Monaco 1-2 Reims
Away
- Sporting Braga 0-1 Gil Vicente
- Sporting Braga 2-0 Monaco
- Boavista 1-1 Braga
- Braga 0-0 Santa Clara
- Braga 2-0 Sheriff Tiraspol
Monaco Team News
Clement hopes to see Brazilian Maripan back in action after his injury-enforced absence, though Cameroonian Disasi will step in if he isn’t ready.
Sporting Braga Team News
Lucas Mineiro of Braga made his first appearance since January at the weekend, leaving just Nuno Sequeira and Roger Fernandes as Braga’s only injury concerns. Braga might go unchanged from the first leg 2-0 win for Thursday’s game at Monaco.
Prediction and Odds
Monaco’s home court advantage will play a big role because they have generally performed poorly away from home.
- Monaco Win
- Goals Under 3.5
- Both Teams to Score
