Monaco's supercomputer Opta declares Golovin as the clear-cut favorite in the matchup against Gavr.
The French Ligue 1 season kicked off on August 16 at the "Louis II" stadium in Monaco, with AS Monaco demonstrating clear superiority over Le Havre in their opening match. Monaco secured a convincing 3-1 victory, showcasing strong attacking and defensive performances despite missing some key players.
Monaco's Strengths
AS Monaco's attack was in full swing from the start, with early goals by Jordan Teze and powerful headers from Maghnes Akliouche sealing the win. The team's dominance was evident in key metrics, with a higher number of expected goals (1.76 to 0.60), total shots (13 to 9), shots on target (4 to 3), and big chances created (2 to 0).
Monaco also controlled possession and duels, making 374 passes in the opposition half compared to Le Havre's 62, and winning 44 duels to 39, demonstrating their physical and tactical dominance. The team's depth was highlighted as they won without star players like Ansu Fati and Paul Pogba.
Areas for Improvement
Despite the impressive win, Monaco's defense showed some lapses, with Le Havre managing to score and ending Monaco’s streak without conceding. The team has not kept a clean sheet in 9 matches, indicating a potential defensive vulnerability. Some attempts were blocked or went off-target, suggesting room for improving shooting precision.
Le Havre's Performance
Le Havre showed resilience with a goal by Rassoul Ndiaye but was outclassed overall in terms of chances created and possession. The team had limited threat inside Monaco’s box and fewer passes in attacking areas, reflecting their difficulty in breaking down Monaco’s defense.
Looking Ahead to Gavre
Given Monaco’s strong recent form (5 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss in preseason) and historical dominance against Le Havre (Monaco unbeaten in the last 5 meetings), Monaco enters future clashes with confidence. However, defensive solidity remains an area to watch.
The upcoming match between Monaco and Gavre, scheduled for the near future, holds significant implications for Monaco's season. Gavre barely avoided relegation last season and lack significant reinforcements in the transfer window. Monaco, on the other hand, has retained key players, including Alexander Golovin, and understands the importance of the match against Gavre.
Golovin and the Monaco team are mindful of the potential challenges posed by Gavre, a modest opponent. According to the Opta analytical system, Monaco has a 70.9% chance of winning, Gavre has a 12.4% chance, and the probability of a draw is 16.7%. The match against Gavre presents a chance for Monaco to demonstrate their competitive spirit and start the season with a win, potentially confirming their ambitions for high positions.
- The bookmakers might favor AS Monaco in their upcoming match against Gavre, given Monaco's recent form, historical dominance, and higher probability of winning as predicted by the Opta analytical system.
- In the European leagues, various bookmakers often take into account the performance of teams in their previous matches, as well as their historical records and predicted chances of victory, like in the upcoming AS Monaco versus Gavre game.
