Monaco approaches the match with one goal: to bounce back from a crushing 4-1 defeat to Paris FC, which ended their seven-match winning streak in all competitions. Sebastian Pocognoli's team currently sits in 7th place, but is only just outside the European spots, so they can't afford to drop points at home. Monaco has been phenomenal at the Stade Louis II: they've won five straight Ligue 1 matches, scoring at least twice in each of those matches. Folarin Balogan is their key asset, having scored in seven consecutive league matches.
Auxerre, on the other hand, is fighting for relegation, currently in the playoff zone (16th place, 24 points). Christophe Pélissier's team is pragmatic and rarely suffers major losses: they've suffered just one defeat in their last six league matches, but they also rarely win. Auxerre's problem is their lack of victories over top-10 teams this year, as well as their poor away record. However, the Burgundians could pose problems if Monaco doesn't recover from their disappointment.
Their head-to-head record leaves no doubt: Monaco has won their last eight matches against Auxerre in a row, including two victories this season (both 2-1). The club from the Principality hasn't lost to this opponent at home since 2009, winning their last four meetings. Given the hosts' enormous motivation to return to the European Cup race, their perfect home form, and their utter defiance in head-to-head matches, a Monaco victory looks extremely safe.
