Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Monaco are set for their third encounter in just six weeks as they meet at the Parc des Princes in Ligue 1 this Friday night. With both teams gearing up for the Champions League playoffs starting next week, this match has been rescheduled to allow for maximum preparation time. Let's dive into the key details of this highly anticipated fixture.
PSG’s Dominance and Unbeaten Run
Paris Saint-Germain continues to dominate Ligue 1, sitting comfortably atop the league standings. Their 5-2 victory over Brest last weekend pushed them to an impressive 50 points after just 20 games. This marks only the sixth time in Ligue 1 history a team has reached this milestone after 20 matches. PSG remains unbeaten domestically this season, boasting a staggering 10-point lead over second-place Marseille.
Luis Enrique’s men have been near unstoppable in recent games, winning 12 of their last 13 matches and scoring a whopping 36 goals. They’ve also been impressive at home, scoring in 38 out of their last 40 home games under Enrique’s management. PSG will be confident in extending their unbeaten streak when they face Monaco, especially after recording two victories over their rivals in recent weeks, including a win in the Trophee des Champions.
Monaco's Struggles Against the Top Teams
On the other hand, Monaco has had a mixed season. While they sit third in the league, just three points behind Marseille, their record against other top-five teams has been disappointing. They’ve struggled in their meetings with the likes of Nice, Marseille, and PSG, losing all but one of these encounters. Monaco will need to improve their defense, especially their full-backs, to contain PSG’s deadly wingers Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé, who are in blistering form.
Monaco’s defense has been shaky on the road, and they’re currently enduring their worst away run in over five years. Despite these struggles, they managed to bounce back from a tough Champions League defeat to Inter Milan by beating Auxerre 4-2, thanks to a hat-trick from new signing Mika Biereth. Biereth is set to start as Monaco's striker in this crucial clash, replacing the injured Breel Embolo.
Team News and Lineups
Paris Saint-Germain:
- Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Fabian Ruiz, Lee, Vitinha; Barcola, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.
Monaco:
- Majecki; Vanderson, Kehrer, Salisu, Mawissa; Camara, Zakaria; Akliouche, Minamino, Ben Seghir; Biereth.
Injury Concerns:
- PSG: Joao Neves and Warren Zaire-Emery are doubtful.
- Monaco: Aleksandr Golovin is recovering from a minor injury, while defensive duo Jordan Teze and Wilfried Singo are out with hamstring issues.
Prediction: PSG 3-2 Monaco
While Monaco has historically been one of the few teams to trouble PSG, their recent form, especially on the road, has been concerning. With PSG in such devastating attacking form and unbeaten in Ligue 1 this season, they are likely to edge past Monaco once again. However, Monaco’s ability to score in Paris and their recent improvements mean they could make it a competitive fixture.
Final Score Prediction: PSG 3-2 Monaco.
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