Stade Reims vs AS Monaco Prediction: Tactical Duel in Ligue 1 Round 15

As we head up to the 15th to round League contest, Stade Reims versus AS Monaco, it should become captivating enough especially for the spectators observing this clash of styles and ambitions. Reims are meditating on consistency amid breathing easily in the middle table. On their part, Monaco, currently in the third position on the table, would want to bounce back and rather build their thrust toward the title. Both teams therefore enter this match with questions to be answered after mixed results garnered over the last few weeks. Here's taking a look at how these sides stack up, their tactics, and what to expect from what should be a very enticing encounter.

Under Luka Elsner, Reims have gained a reputation as an organized and tactically disciplined group. They currently stand ninth in Ligue with their record tallying 5 wins, 4 draws, and 5 losses. Their performances have exhibited some resilience with a lot of frustration. With regard to home wins, the team has gotten only 1 victory in its last five games at Stade Auguste-Delaune. The last match ended up in a goalless draw with Strasbourg-denoting the continued struggles to turn possessions into goals for the team. 

Elsner's design of the formation induces defensive solidity and a chance for counterattacks with gradually conceived build-up play to match up to the opponents' standards of defense maintenance. While the double pivot in midfield shields the backline effectively, their transitions into an attack have been lacking to be really convincing. Reims will now target to be as compressed as they can, leaving as little space between lines as possible, whilst hoping to find some weaknesses in the defensive stretch of Monaco that will lend themselves to counter-attacks. That being said, the hurdle they will have to overcome would be getting the cutting edge, or a clinical finishing ability, to give their defending efforts some credibility.

Third with a 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the Champions League matches viewed, AS Monaco is still being led by Adolf Hutter in this encounter. Domestically, they have been successful in getting 9 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses, with a copyright patchy with 2 wins and 3 defeats in the last five matches. Same inconsistency shows in their traveling games, 2 wins, and 3 losses which emphasize how difficult the team has been about stability on the road.

Hutter's Monaco play a 4-2-3-1, bringing together an attack and high press from the front. Fast combinations and shots in the last third make for the best play but expose them as prone to counters, mainly because their fullbacks push so high. Their defense is often left vulnerable by it and an area Reims might focus on. Monaco thus needs to lift their game defensively to make sure Reims do not capitalize on their ineffectiveness.

These two sides have a close contest in history with Reims emerging victorious five times, Monaco winning seven times and eight matches ending in draws. In their latest duels, they have never been shy to dominate as they favor cagey tactics. This history adds a special thrill to both sides as both will want to sway the balance in their favor.

It's clear that this game is packaged to be a tactical battle-the Reims depend on the defensive structure for counter and wards. In contrast, Monaco on something more aggressive-wards attack philosophy and Reims' wards manipulation. Whether Reims handle the Monaco attacking tempo or a case of exposing the frailty of the defense will be central to the whole battle. 

I foresee a very close match in goal scoring. With that alone, it does seem that Monaco should just have the edge given their better individual quality and attacking threat. But really, the discipline at home by Reims might frustrate them, and so one may not be surprised if they were to settle for a tangle in this one.

• Away Win or Draw and Under 3.5 Goals @ 1.93 Odds
• Monaco Score First @ 1.70 Odds
• Under 2.5 Goals @ 2.10 Odds