Monaco have been Ligue 1’s most exciting team in the opening weeks of the season and an entertaining game should be forecast against a Lorient team that has started the campaign well.

Adi Hutter has arrived in Monaco and has immediately installed an attacking approach to his team. It is one that his players appear to be thriving on. In every game so far this season, they have scored at least three goals. Furthermore, the coach is starting to get the best out of Takumi Minamino, who chronically underperformed last term but who has been nominated for Ligue 1 Player of the Month.

Wissam Ben Yedder, meanwhile, has put some personal difficulties to one side and continues to be a major threat. Monaco benefit from him not having any international distractions presently.

Lorient went into the international break off the back of a chastening 3-0 loss against Le Havre and will seek an upturn in their performance. While the international break may allow a handful of injured players to return, the defence could lose Julien Laporte to injury, which would be a blow as he is a key figure in that area.

Les Merlus will have a hard time containing Monaco. Although they went to PSG and drew 0-0 on the opening day of the season, that was a Paris team without Kylian Mbappe and that was still gaining an understanding of Luis Enrique’s style. They will come across a far more direct and ruthless opponent here.

Last season, the games between these teams finished 2-2 in Lorient and 3-1 to Monaco in the principality. Expect more goals in this one.

Monchengladbach will visit Bundesliga newcomers Darmstadt on Sunday as both sides look for their first wins of the season.

Darmstadt have really struggled to adapt to life in the Bundesliga, losing all of their first three fixtures. After a respectable 1-0 defeat in Frankfurt on the opening day, things have significantly worsened for Darmstadt, losing 4-1 against Union Berlin and 5-1 versus Leverkusen. Darmstadt have conceded more goals than any other Bundesliga team, leaking ten in three games. The host’s attacking threat is nothing to gloat about; however, they have shown that they are capable of sneaking the occasional goal, scoring two times against tough opposition.

Monchengladbach have started the season poorly, drawing against Augsburg and losing to Leverkusen and Bayern. Each game has seen at least three goals, with Gerardo Seoane’s side exhibiting their attacking strengths and defensive weaknesses. Monchengladbach scored and conceded freely in their last away fixture when they drew 4-4 with Augsburg, and they conceded three more in a 3-0 loss at home to Leverkusen. The visitors did manage to score against Bayern, who have the best defensive record in the league.

There have been twenty-six goals across both side’s opening games, with both teams looking shaky at the back. Monchengladbach have looked the stronger of the two going forward; however, Darmstadt have grabbed a couple of goals against strong opponents. Three goals were scored when the sides last faced each other and the same total should be matched again, if not exceeded.

It’s been a busy international break for Lyon, who finally sacked head coach Laurent Blanc after a wretched start to the season. The only way is up for OL and they will expect to be too good for newly promoted Le Havre in this game, in spite of their guests starting the season well, and this is a game that should provide goals.

Lyon’s form may be wretched but they have certain advantages coming into this game. For the first time this season, they should have a full squad available, with Dejan Lovren fit to take his place in the defence. Furthermore, Alexandre Lacazette, last season’s top scorer, returns after a two-match ban for a red card. This should provide a sizable boost offensively.

From Le Havre’s perspective, meanwhile, they have punched above their weight early this season. Although they have salvaged 2-2 draws against Montpellier and Rennes away from home, both of these came thanks to goals very late in the games.

Indeed, HAC have conceded two goals in three of their four matches so far this season, showing that they are a side that is far from watertight. Lyon still have talented attackers in their midst and will surely profit similarly.

Where Le Havre have surprised this season has been in terms of their goal scoring. In particular, Nabil Aloui has three goals for the campaign already. It is a rarity he is unlikely to maintain but with Russian signing Daler Kuzyaev having settled quickly, France’s oldest side are a force that has been underestimated going forward.