St.Etienne – Monaco: Preview and Highest Odds

Puel will welcome captain Mathieu Debuchy back from suspension for this game, and the former Arsenal man should slot straight back into the team during a game where the hosts are expected to have their backs against the wall. Yvan Neyou, Harold Moukoudi and Lucas Gourna-Douath will all be assessed ahead of Friday’s game, but Romain Hamouma’s wait for his 300th Ligue 1 appearance goes on as he remains out with a hamstring injury. Debuchy’s expected inclusion could push Denis Bouanga out onto the opposite flank or further up the field, unless the 26-year-old is sacrificed entirely for the returning skipper. Monaco also have a player from their own returning from suspension in Krepin Diatta, but he is unlikely to come into Kovac’s thinking for a start on Friday. Sofiane Diop is an option for Kovac if he chooses to freshen up his attack, but Golovin, Volland and Ben Yedder should all reprise their roles in the 49-year-old’s 3-4-2-1 setup. The attacking trio of Pietro Pellegri, Willem Geubbels and Gelson Martins remain sidelined for the visitors, who are unlikely to make significant alterations as they hope to avoid a third game without a win.