New French champions Monaco take on Toulouse in the opening fixture of the 2017/2018 Ligue 1 campaign, with fans at Stade Louis II eager to see the new-look team.

Le Tefece will be out to spoil the party, even though that is easier said than done given the difference in quality between the two sides.

Monaco enjoyed plenty of success last term as they pipped PSG to the league trophy, while also reaching the CL semis, but they eventually were victims of their own success.

Namely, the Principality club saw key men Bakayoko, Bernardo Silva and Mendy leave the club, although they did sign Youri Tielemans, Jordi Mboula, Diego Benaglio and Terrence Kongolo, while Alain Saint-Maximin and Rony Lopes returned from loan spells.

Following mixed results in pre-season, Monaco were beaten by Paris Saint-Germain in the French Super Cup despite taking the lead through Djibril Sidibe.

The impressive France international was deployed as right winger as Leonardo Jardim clearly have doubts about Rony Lopes, but he could now return to right-back as Monaco face weaker opposition.

It remains to be seen whether star striker Kylian Mbappe will be in contention as he reportedly has permission to leave the club this summer.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Subasic – Sidibe, Glik, Jemerson, Kongolo – Rony Lopes, Tielemans, Fabinho, Lemar – Falcao, Carrillo.

Toulouse have been unable to escape mid table obscurity for quite some time, proving they are rightly considered one of France’s most boring sides.

Le Tefece finished the previous campaign in 13th place, some eight points above the relegation zone, and the objective now is to try and improve on that result.

There were no major changes at Stade Municipal in the summer, although Matthew Braithwaite and Tongo Doumbia were allowed to leave.

In came Yaya Sanogo and Yannick Cahuzac, whereas Zinedine Machach returned and Corentin Jean signed a permanent deal with the club.

Toulouse were somewhat disappointing in pre-season, scoring mere four goals in five games (W1 D3 L1), so they don’t have much to hope for ahead of the clash with Monaco.

Issa Diop and Ola Toivonen miss out through injury and suspension respectively, but Alban Lafont and Christopher Jullien have been passed fit.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Lafont – Michelin, Jullien, Bodiger, Sylla – Blin, Sangare – Jean, Durmaz, Machach – Delort.