Bastia vs Monaco preview - Monaco chasing back-to-back wins

Two under-pressure managers will pit their wits against each other when Bastia host Monaco in their Ligue 1 showdown.

Leonardo Jardim of Monaco has presided over four losses already this season but is nevertheless expected to inflict defeat on his opposite number at Bastia, Claude Makelele.

Jardim is convinced the age profile of his ninth-placed side ensures they will come good soon.

"We need to keep following our own path," said Jardim, who is missing thigh-injury victim Dimitar Berbatov for three weeks.

"The team is better now than it was at the start of the league season.

"We have a promising future because over 60 per cent of our players are under 21. The future will smile on us."

Monaco will at least face Bastia knowing they were convincing 2-0 winners against Evian last weekend.

"The most important thing was the three points. The win was deserved given the way the game went," Jardim said.

Monaco could be lifted by the return of Joao Moutinho, who has been out with a shoulder problem.

Bastia are only one point off the relegation zone just 10 games into the season and recorded a precious 1-0 victory over Nice last weekend.

"That result was very important given our situation. I told the players things could turn around and the win augurs well," Makelele said.

"We're going to be able to get out of this. I'm not basing that on the position in the table, but on the work we are doing.

"We'll get out of the relegation zone by working."