Monaco vs Villarreal Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

Villarreal’s home leg of the Champions League Playoff round got off to a terrible start last week as Fabinho netted a penalty in the first five minutes to give Monaco the lead. Villarreal had the majority of possession throughout the game, and they made it count in the 36th minute when Alexandre Pato scored an equaliser. However, in a match of few chances it was Monaco who were the more clinical, scoring the winner in the 72nd minute, thanks to Bernardo Silva, to take a valuable lead into the home leg.

Monaco followed this excellent result up with an efficient 1-0 win over Nantes on Saturday to make it three wins, one draw, and one defeat in their five competitive matches this season. If they can return to the defensively solid outfit we saw for the majority of last season they stand a very good chance of making it to the group stages on Tuesday.

This would make up for their defeat in this round of the competition last season when another Spanish side, Valencia, knocked them out to resign them to Europa League football. The season before, Monaco made it to the quarter finals of the Champions League though, eliminating Arsenal and proving they have what it takes in Europe.

Villarreal are less experienced in the Champions League in recent years though, but they have enjoyed some success in the Europa League. They made it to the semi finals last season before being knocked out by finalists Liverpool, and the season before that it took Europa League specialists Sevilla to eliminate them.

But the start of the new season isn’t exactly going to plan for the visitors. Their defeat last week was their first competitive game of the season, and they followed it up with a disappointing 1-1 draw at Granada in their La Liga curtain raiser. With friendlies included, Villarreal have now lost four and drawn four of their last eight matches.

Competitively, Villarreal have only won two of their last ten matches, losing six and drawing twice to make for a very poor run of form. Away from home they have lost four of their last six competitive games as well, whereas Monaco have won eight of their last 11 competitive matches at the Stade Louis II.

This, plus Villarreal’s extensive injury concerns coming into this match, makes odds of 13/10 for a Monaco Win on Tuesday look very good value. I’m backing that along with a 1-0 correct score prediction at 7/1.