Newly-promoted AJ Auxerre have hit Ligue 1 like a train, three wins from three setting a lively tone in Burgundy. Now comes the acid test: free-scoring Monaco at the Abbé-Deschamps. Expect a packed house, flags draped across the home end, and a noisy travelling section – this feels like a proper early-season yardstick.

Tactical feel: Auxerre have tilted towards a compact 4-4-2/4-2-3-1, hard to play through and quick to spring wide runners for cut-backs. Monaco are happier on the ball in a 4-3-3 that can morph to 4-2-3-1, with width from the flanks and late arrivals around the box. It’s Auxerre’s structure and work-rate versus Monaco’s individual quality and tempo changes.

Auxerre

Oussama El Azzouzi (neck) and Nathan Buayi-Kiala (knee) are out. Sinaly Diomandé and Marvin Senaya are listed as doubts. Up front, the form of Sékou Mara alongside the powerful Lassine Sinayoko gives AJA direct threat, with Ibrahim Osman and Josué Casimir stretching play from the sides. Elisha Owusu anchors the midfield screen.

Monaco

Lukas Hradecky (knee) remains out; Vanderson and Folarin Balogun are doubts. There’s ample depth: Philipp Köhn should start in goal; at centre-half, combinations of Thilo Kehrer, Mohammed Salisu and Eric Dier are available. The craft of Aleksandr Golovin supports a front line featuring the lively Ansu Fati and one from Mika Biereth/George Ilenikhena through the middle.

Only players confirmed on the verified current lists are referenced.

Auxerre have strung together three straight wins to start the campaign (Lorient, Nice, Nantes) and, across their last ten competitive games, they average 1.67 scored and 0.67 conceded with a strong clean-sheet rate (about two in three). Most of their matches sit under the goals line and they’re dangerous early – 60% of goals scored have arrived before the break.

Monaco look their usual incisive selves: two home wins sandwiching a narrow defeat at Lille. Over the broader ten-game sample they’re at 2.00 scored and 1.33 conceded, leaning to higher-scoring contests. They don’t tend to shut up shop but they do carry threat from all angles.

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Auxerre at home (last 10): strong record with a mean goals profile close to their season figures; they’re usually first on the scoresheet and manage leads sensibly.

Monaco away (last 10): plenty of goals either way; they create chances but can be a touch open when chasing. High entertainment factor, fewer clean sheets.

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Auxerre – Sékou Mara: quick movements across the line, tidy first touch and cool finishing – ideal foil for Sinayoko’s physicality.

Monaco – Ansu Fati: drifts into pockets from the left and can decide games with a snap of the boot. Auxerre’s right side will need help against him.

1–1 draw. Auxerre are organised and in form; Monaco carry more firepower but concede chances. With the hosts’ early-season momentum and Monaco’s away openness, honours even feels a fair shout.

Main pick: Monaco. Quality in the final third gives them a slight edge.

Value angle: Under 2.5 goals. Auxerre’s matches skew lower scoring and they’ve defended their box very well so far.