Coventry vs Monaco — Tips & Analysis

Monaco +0.25: Monaco are the better side here and they are further along. They beat Liverpool 3-2 and Getafe 1-0 in pre-season, and they are nine days from their opening league game with Balogun, Pogba and Dier in the squad. A team that close to a competitive start plays at a proper tempo. Coventry are no soft touch. They have won 11 of their last 18 and let in under a goal a game. They have not lost by 2 or more in that whole run. But this is their last run out before a Premier League opener at Arsenal on 21 August. A number of players are due about an hour, so the aim is fitness and minutes rather than a result. Monaco score more than 2 goals a game, and 12 of their last 15 games had 3 or more. They carry the greater threat in the final third. Coventry's shape should keep them in it for long spells and they will have moments. A 1-2 Monaco win is the picture we expect, and that is exactly what this pick wants. The clear risk is that it is a friendly. Both teams can change the whole side at half time, and neither has played a competitive game since May, so the tempo is a guess. We are still with the stronger squad.