AS Monaco will host Stade de Reims at the Stade Louis II on February 28, 2025, for their much-anticipated Ligue 1 clash. The match, which kicks off at 3:00 PM ET, finds the home side sitting fifth on the table, having accumulated 40 points from 23 matches, whereas the visitors occupy 15th place with just 22 points to their name.
Monaco arrives at this fixture with the hope of bouncing back from their recent 2-1 defeat to Lille. The loss dampened their spirits, marking just one win from their last five games across all competitions. They had shown some promise earlier this season, winning four of their last five home matches, scoring 15 goals. Yet, historical data suggests they’ve struggled against Reims at home recently, having not won any of their last five encounters at the Stade Louis II. Their most recent meeting ended in a goalless draw, which will weigh on the team as they try to adjust and find their rhythm once again.
On the other hand, Reims are enduring a rough patch, remaining winless across their last 12 league games. They caught some respite by securing their place in the Coup de France semi-finals with a penalty shootout victory against Angers, but their league performance has been concerning. They narrowly lost 1-0 to Rennes last week, marking their third consecutive game without finding the back of the net.
For the upcoming match, both teams have faced significant injury concerns. Monaco will be without Folarin Balogun, Aleksandr Golovin, and Jordan Teze due to injuries. Meanwhile, Reims will miss key players including Abdoul Kone and Yaya Fofana, leading to questions about their ability to mount effective attacks against Monaco's defense.
Fans will be keeping an eye on Mika Biereth, who has emerged as Monaco's primary scoring threat, having scored seven goals already this season. Equally, Reims will rely heavily on Japanese forward Keito Nakamura, who has managed eight goals so far and could make the difference for the visitors if they hope to salvage points from this game.
Historically, the encounters between these two sides are closely matched. Out of the last 67 meetings, both teams have secured 25 wins, with 17 games ending in draws. While Monaco appears the stronger side on paper, recent struggles may give Reims some hope.
Looking at the current form: Monaco is struggling with consistency, registering just one win across their last five matches, significantly affecting their momentum. Reims, conversely, hopes to build on their penalty shootout win but will need to show more attacking prowess to contend with Monaco’s home advantage. Coach Adi Hütter must rally his players to capitalize on their home ground, especially as they aim to reclaim some dignity after disappointing results.
The tactical approach could see Monaco adopting a 4-4-2 formation, potentially featuring Breel Embolo alongside Biereth up front. The midfield will require solidity from Denis Zakaria and Moatasem Al Musrati, who must dominate the center of the park to supply their forwards effectively. For Reims, learning from their previous encounters against Monaco, they may opt for defensive resilience, hoping to counter-attack effectively.
The match is not just significant for league points but holds psychological stakes for both teams. For Monaco, it's about showing their capacity to tread water under pressure and for Reims, it's about pulling off what would be seen as a monumental upset, breaking their dismal run and bolstering confidence as they fight off the relegation specter.
The latest betting odds indicate Monaco is favored to win at odds of 5/12, reflecting the disparity between the two teams' current form. Predictions hint at another tense contest, with many anticipating goals on both ends. With the talent on display and the stakes involved, fans can expect nothing less than thriller action at the Stade Louis II this Friday.
Match details are set, with viewers able to catch the action via beIN SPORTS and Ligue 1 Pass. Keep your eyes peeled for what promises to be not just a clash of teams but of tactics, emotion, and survival instinct.