Adi Hütter looks set to align Folarin Balogun and Wissam Ben Yedder up-front when AS Monaco face Stade de Reims with Takumi Minamino absent due to the Asian Cup.
Hütter has often preferred to play two No.1s and one striker, but Minamino’s absence could cause the Austrian manager to reconsider his formation. Against RC Lens in the Coupe de France, Maghnes Akliouche started behind Ben Yedder and Balogun, with Aleksandr Golovin suspended. Whilst Golovin’s return offers the possibility of a return to Hütter’s favoured system of two No.10s behind the striker, the choice could be made to once again partner Balogun and Ben Yedder.
Elsewhere, there are no fresh injury concerns. Caio Henrique, Breel Embolo and Eliot Matazo remain absent, as does Eliesse Ben Seghir, however the latter is nearing a return and only just missed out on the matchday squad. The Principality club are being particularly prudent with the Frenchman after a severe shoulder injury.
Monaco likely lineup v Reims
Philipp Köhn; Thilo Kehrer, Guillermo Maripán, Soungoutou Magassa; Kassoum Ouattara, Denis Zakaria, Youssouf Fofana, Vanderson; Aleksandr Golovin; Wissam Ben Yedder, Folarin Balogun.
