Back Monaco for Success in Ligue 1 and Champions League Under Adi Hutter

AS Monaco have enjoyed a fantastic start to the season, going unbeaten in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League. Under Adi Hutter, who took charge last summer, Monaco have shown considerable improvement, building on last season’s 2nd place finish. With their sights set on silverware, can they continue this form to challenge PSG in Ligue 1 and make a deep run in Europe?

Hutter’s Solid Defence Could Be Key

Monaco’s defensive form has been a revelation this season. After eight Ligue 1 matches, they’ve amassed 20 points, the same as reigning champions PSG. What stands out is their league-best defensive record, having conceded just four goals so far. Their underlying numbers back this up, with an xGA (expected goals against) of just 0.72 per game—lower than PSG’s 0.92.

This defensive resilience is a significant improvement from last season, where six Ligue 1 teams conceded fewer goals than Monaco. Hutter’s system has clearly shored up the backline, while their attack remains potent. With an xG (expected goals) of 16.66, Monaco’s attack is the second most dangerous in the league, but there’s still room for improvement, as they’ve scored only 14 goals, slightly underperforming their xG.

PSG’s dominance in recent years, having won 10 titles in the last 12 seasons, makes them the team to beat. However, with Mbappé leaving PSG in the summer, Monaco will feel they have a genuine chance to wrestle the title away from their rivals, much like they did in 2017.

Monaco Can Upset the European Heavyweights

Monaco’s return to the Champions League has been nothing short of impressive. After missing out on European competition last season, they’ve made an immediate impact by beating Barcelona 2-1 in their opening group game. Playing much of that match against 10 men, Monaco managed to outperform their opponents with a superior xG, showing they can compete with Europe’s elite.

They followed this up with a 2-2 draw in Zagreb, a match where they dominated possession and xG, before bouncing back with a 5-1 demolition of Red Star Belgrade. With 27 attempts and an xG of 3.33 in that match, Hutter’s side showed their attacking flair is just as strong in Europe.

With 15 points projected to secure a top-eight spot in the new Champions League format, Monaco are just three wins away from progressing to the knockout stages. Given the manageable set of fixtures they have ahead, based on the UEFA coefficient of their opponents, it’s certainly within their grasp to cause an upset among Europe’s giants.

Betting Takeaways

Monaco’s blend of defensive stability and attacking potency makes them a strong team to back both in Ligue 1 and Europe. For bettors, their consistent performances across both competitions offer value in outright markets, especially as they continue to challenge PSG domestically. Keep an eye on their ability to maintain defensive discipline and take advantage of their xG underperformance, which could signal more goals to come in future fixtures.

Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at time of publishing and subject to change.

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