Prediction: AS Monaco vs Tottenham Hotspur

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 13/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

The Stade Louis II will be the stage for a compelling Champions League encounter on Wednesday night as AS Monaco host Tottenham Hotspur in Matchday Three of the league phase. Both teams are looking to bounce back from underwhelming domestic performances and build momentum in Europe, where they’ve had mixed starts.

With both sides adapting to new managerial regimes and dealing with injury concerns, this fixture promises to be unpredictable and entertaining.

AS Monaco

Monaco enter this fixture sitting 30th in the Champions League league-phase standings, having taken just one point from their opening two matches. Their last European outing was a spirited 2-2 draw against Manchester City, salvaged by a late Eric Dier penalty. That result followed a heavy 4-1 defeat to Club Brugge, which ultimately cost Adi Hütter his job.

Now under the guidance of 38-year-old Sebastien Pocognoli, Monaco are in transition. Pocognoli’s debut ended in a 1-1 draw with Angers in Ligue 1, extending the team’s winless run to four matches across all competitions. Defensive frailty remains a major concern—Monaco are still searching for their first clean sheet of the season and have conceded in every match so far.

Despite their struggles, Monaco have historically fared well against Tottenham, winning both meetings in the 2016-17 Champions League group stage by a 2-1 scoreline.

Team News

Monaco are dealing with a lengthy injury list. Eric Dier, who scored the equalizer against Manchester City, is out with a hamstring issue. He joins Lukas Hradecky (knee), Christian Mawissa (hamstring), Vanderson (hamstring), Denis Zakaria (adductor), and Lamine Camara (ankle) on the sidelines. Paul Pogba is also unavailable due to lack of match fitness.

In attack, Folarin Balogun is pushing for a start after scoring off the bench against Angers, potentially replacing Mika Biereth. Pocognoli has no selection concerns in the forward line, where Ansu Fati and Maghnes Akliouche are expected to support the striker.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham sit 9th in the Champions League standings with four points from two matches. Their campaign began with a narrow 1-0 win over Villarreal, followed by a dramatic 2-2 draw away to Bodo/Glimt, salvaged by a late own goal.

Despite some teething problems under new manager Thomas Frank, Spurs have strung together a six-match unbeaten run in Champions League league-phase games.

Domestically, however, Spurs are struggling for consistency. A 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa over the weekend marked their third winless outing in four matches. Still, they remain unbeaten on the road this season (excluding a penalty shootout loss to PSG in the Super Cup), which bodes well for their trip to Monaco.

Team News

Tottenham are also facing a defensive injury crisis. Cristian Romero sustained an adductor injury in the warm-up against Aston Villa, while Destiny Udogie is nursing a knee issue from international duty. Both are unlikely to feature, meaning Kevin Danso will likely partner Micky van de Ven, who is one booking away from a Champions League suspension.

Other absentees include Dejan Kulusevski (knee), James Maddison (knee), Yves Bissouma (ankle), Radu Dragusin (knee), Kota Takai (foot), Ben Davies (muscle), and Dominic Solanke (ankle). Mathys Tel is ineligible and also injured.

Head-to-Head: Monaco’s Historical Edge

Monaco and Tottenham last met in the 2016-17 Champions League group stage, with the French side winning both matches 2-1. While the squads have changed significantly since then, Monaco’s historical success against Spurs could offer a psychological boost.

Conclusion

Both teams are in transition and dealing with significant injury issues, which could lead to a cagey and unpredictable contest. Monaco’s defensive vulnerabilities and Tottenham’s attacking depth suggest goals are likely, but neither side looks dominant enough to claim a clear win.

Expect an open, end-to-end match with both teams finding the net. A draw seems the most probable outcome, continuing Tottenham’s unbeaten run and giving Pocognoli a solid European debut.

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 13/5

Bookmaker: Unibet