Despite outplaying their more illustrious opponents in the first leg, Monaco trail Valencia by two goals and will need a huge effort in order to qualify for the Champions League group stages.

Los Che carry a 3-1 lead into the return leg, but they cannot afford to relax just yet and definitely need to improve on the performance from the first match.

Even if the squad underwent major changes in the summer, the general impression is that club officials have put together a very good squad, albeit the one that will not peak for another two or three years.

Therefore, a progress into the Champions League group stages is not exactly a must, but would be a welcoming boost, and Monaco do have plenty of reason to regret the outcome of the first game against Valencia.

In spite of the major squad overhaul, the Principality club produced a very good showing in the first leg, but eventually had to settle for a 3-1 defeat, which puts them in a difficult position.

Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim opted to rest a number of key players in weekend’s 1-1 draw with Toulouse, meaning the likes of Bernardo Silva, Anthony Martial, Andrea Raggi and Ricardo Carvalho will be recalled.

Aymen Abdennour will probably miss out again as he nears summer exit, whilst Joao Moutinho remains on the sidelines.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Subasic – Raggi, Wallace, Carvalho, Kurzawa – Fabinho, Toulalan – Dirar, Bernardo Silva, Cavaleiro – Martial.

Valencia held off challenge from Europa League holders Sevilla to clinch the final Champions League berth in Spanish La Liga, but they were probably far from satisfied with the play-off draw.

Following some poor results in pre-season, los Che were also well below par in the first match against Monaco, but they had a big smile from Lady Luck and eventually recorded a 3-1 win.

Just like his counterpart, Nuno Espirito Santo used the weekend’s league clash against Rayo Vallecano to rest his key men for the clash at Stade Louis II, with Rodrigo and Barragan appearing as second-half substitutes and Enzo Perez and Paco Alcacer watching the entire game from the bench.

The likes of Jose Gaya, Dani Parejo and Sofiane Feghouli return from domestic suspension, but Diego Alves and Andre Gomes are out injured.

Following the two-goal victory in the first leg, Valencia can be backed at 1.18 (2/11) to qualify for the Champions League group stages.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Ryan – Barragan, Mustafi, Vezo, Gaya – Parejo, Perez, de Paul – Feghouli, Alcacer, Rodrigo.