Don’t say ‘au revoir’ to Monaco’s Ligue 1 title hopes just yet

Paris Saint-Germain currently sit atop of Ligue 1, five points clear of Monaco, but Claudio Ranieri’s team may yet spring a surprise and claim the league title with odds of 6/1 on offer through Ladbrokes.

The international break could not have come at a better time for the Principality club, which has been in something of a tailspin in recent weeks, with just one win from their last four league games.

During that time, the team also suffered a shock defeat to lowly Reims in the Coupe de la Ligue, while title rivals PSG took full advantage with 13 points from the last 15 available in the French top flight.

But while the Parisiens are heavy favourites to retain their Ligue 1 crown at odds of 1/10, there is still plenty of hope for AS Monaco as we approach the busy Christmas period.

For one thing, the reigning champions are facing up to a hectic schedule of games with European games against Olympiakos and Benfica likely to take it out of the squad, even if the team has already confirmed a place in the knockout stages.

Meanwhile, December brings tricky games for Laurent Blanc’s men against form side Evian, a resurgent Lyon and Monaco’s previous conquerors Lille, who also remain four points behind PSG in second and on at odds of 25/1.

Les Rouge et Blanc face a far easier run in for the remainder of the year, with games against strugglers Ajaccio, Rennes and Valenciennes as well as newly-promoted Guingamp.

With Paris Saint Germain’s French cup and European fixtures likely to continue into the New Year, the Principality club could also benefit from a far less congested fixture list.

And come January, you can expect Monaco to continue the big-money investment in their playing staff, with big Premier League names like Manchester United’s Patrice Evra and Arsenal man Theo Walcott both linked with moves to the club.

PSG may boast the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic but with Radamel Falcao finding the goals already and with reinforcements on the way, Ranieri’s team may not be done just yet.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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