Paris Saint-Germain are all set to square up against Ligue 1 rivals AS Monaco in the Trophee des Champions at Stadium 974 in Doha.
PSG will be pushing for their 13th Trophee des Champions title when they square up against AS Monaco at Stadium 974 in Doha on Sunday night.
Les Parisiens are top of the Ligue 1 table and already have a ten-point lead over second-placed Marseille. Luis Enrique’s men have been a dominant force, and they will surely give AS Monaco a run for their money.
After three consecutive wins, PSG were forced into a penalty shootout to secure a hard-fought win over RC Lens in the round of 64 of the French Cup. While the going was not easy for them, the Ligue 1 champions still remain favourites for this fixture.
AS Monaco are third on the Ligue 1 table and are 10 points behind PSG. Having lost 4-2 to Les Parisiens less than three weeks ago, the principality outfit will be eager to avenge that defeat. But, it won’t be easy to take down the best team in France.
The visitors are heading into this fixture on the back of a 4-1 win over L’Union Saint-Jean FC in the round of 64 of the French Cup. They will be confident about their chances, and it will surely be a match to watch out for. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Paris Saint-Germain
Presnel Kimpebe’s availability is a doubt. But, apart from the French defender, everyone else is expected to be available for selection. While Gianluigi Donnarumma is back in training, Luis Enrique might not rush him into the mix.
PSG will go ahead with the 4-3-3 formation against AS Monaco. Matvey Safonov will most likely continue in goal. Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes should be the full-backs, while Marquinhos should partner Willian Pacho in the heart of the defence.
Vitinha will be the holding midfielder, while Warren Zaire-Emery and Joao Neves will be in his support. They will look to control the tempo of this game. Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola will feature on the flanks providing the width to their attacks, while Desire Doue will continue to lead the line for PSG against AS Monaco.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Neves; Dembele, Doue, Barcola
AS Monaco
Wilfried Singo is suspended for this fixture. Meanwhile, AS Monaco will be without Denis Zakaria, Christian Mawissa, Radoslaw Majecki, Krepin Diatta and Folarin Balogun when they lock horns with PSG this weekend.
Edan Diop and Lamine Camara should both be available for this fixture. AS Monaco will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Philipp Köhn will be in goal. Vanderson and Jordan Teze will be the full-backs, while Thilo Kehrer and Mohammed Salisu should feature in the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Soungoutou Magassa and Lamine Camara will form the double pivot in the centre of the park. They will shield the backline and provide a stable base to attack from. Maghnes Akliouche and Aleksandr Golovin will feature on the flanks. They will provide the much-needed width to their attacks, while Eliesse Ben Seghir will be the attacking midfielder. Breel Embolo will lead the line for Monaco.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kohn; Teze, Kehrer, Salisu, Vanderson; Magassa, Camara; Akilouche, Ben Seghir, Golovin; Embolo
Key Stats
- PSG are the only unbeaten team in Ligue 1.
- Prior to their win over Union Saint-Jean in the Coupe de France, Monaco had only won one out of their last six games.
- PSG have won each of their last four games across competitions heading into this fixture.
- Monaco have won the Trophee des Champions four times in their history while PSG have 12 titles to their name.
- The two teams squared up against each other last month in Ligue 1 and PSG came out on top with a scoreline of 4-2.
Player to Watch
Warren Zaire-Emery
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Despite being just 18, Zaire-Emery is already a mainstay at PSG. He has been involved in 22 matches this season and has contributed towards three goals. Given the kind of performances he has put up in the recent past, the teenage sensation could have a big say on the end result of this fixture.
Prediction
PSG 2-1 AS Monaco
Less than a month ago, PSG thrashed AS Monaco 4-2, and they will be heading into this fixture as the overwhelming favourites. PSG have won each of their last four outings heading into this fixture while Les Monegasques have been inconsistent. As a result, it looks unlikely that Monaco will script an upset here. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Luis Enrique and his charges.