AS Monaco will be eager to stay relevant in the Ligue 1 title chase and could only do that if they manage to close the gap on hosts PSG on Friday night.
PSG came out of their clash with Brest last weekend with flying colours, as that game was also a dress rehearsal for their upcoming UEFA Champions League playoff clash with the same opponent, although up next for them are AS Monaco.
Luis Enrique will be pleased with how his attacking setup continues to click, and while there are some defensive issues on the side, they could be resolved in some capacity. An Ousmane Dembele hat-trick and a brace from Goncalo Ramos ensured a 5-2 reverse victory over Brest away from home.
PSG are comfortable at the top of the Ligue 1 standings, amassing 50 points from 20 games and opening up a ten-point lead over nearest rivals Marseille. As they set out to pay AS Monaco in the early fixture of Matchday 21, they could extend their gap over their rivals to an unprecedented 16 points, which would all but end any lingering hopes for their visitors to climb back into a relevant spot in the title race.
Meanwhile, Adi Hutter will want to repair a bad run of form when facing a top-five side this season, having taken just a single point so far in the four previous games, which came against LOSC Lille. While their overall form is decent, they have managed just one defeat in their last four games, which came against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League.
An early red card at San Siro did not help Monaco’s cause, as Hutter’s team suffered a 3-0 defeat and finished outside the top eight. Now they face SL Benfica in a two-legged playoff round, and Monaco must overcome the problem to reach the round of 16.
On to league matters, AS Monaco have secured wins in their last three games, and incidentally, their most recent Ligue 1 defeat came at the hands of PSG. Last weekend, the principality club secured a big win over Auxerre, with new signing Mika Biereth scoring a hat-trick.
Team News & Tactics
PSG
With the winter transfer window now behind PSG, Luis Enrique will be happy with the decisions made by the club, as there were some notable signings as well as departures. Milan Skriniar left for Fenerbahce, while Marco Asensio made a late loan move to Aston Villa, thus joining Randal Kolo Muani in the departures lounge, with the French attacker joining Juventus on a temporary deal.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was the big arrival from Napoli, and the youngster has already made a mark on proceedings. Luis Enrique is eager to use him, Ousmane Dembele, and Bradley Barcola as his main front three attackers, and once again, they will be in the lineup on the frontline.
There are some doubts about injury among a few PSG midfielders, as Joao Neves and Warren Zaire-Emery are significant doubts about this clash against AS Monaco. The duo could join Ibrahim Mbaye in the treatment room, and Enrique will likely bring Lee Kang-in into the midfield trifecta alongside Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Beraldo, Marquinhos, Mendes; Vitinha, Ruiz, Kang-In; Barcola, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
AS Monaco
Monaco are sweating on the fitness of key attacking midfielder Aleksandr Golovin, who was forced off against Auxerre in the last game. While the injury is thought to be minor, the Russian playmaker may not feature in this one, as Adi Hutter will hope to have him available for the UEFA Champions League game next week.
Eliesse Ben Seghir should be the choice to replace Golovin in the attacking setup on the left-hand side. There are some injuries in the attacking department, but nothing new for Hutter’s men, as George Ilenikhena and Folarin Balogun are out of contention for the time being.
The latter’s place is already threatened by an academy product from former club Arsenal, as Mika Biereth has made an instant mark on proceedings with a hat-trick against Auxerre. He will lead the line for AS Monaco against PSG ahead of Swiss attacker Breel Embolo.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Majecki; Vanderson, Kehrer, Salisu, Mawissa; Camara, Zakaria; Akliouche, Minamino, Ben Seghir; Beireth
Key Stats
- Paris Saint-Germain are undefeated in their last 22 matches in Ligue 1.
- Paris Saint-Germain have not kept a clean sheet in their last six Ligue 1 games.
- AS Monaco have won their last three games in Ligue 1.
- AS Monaco have conceded at least two goals in their last five matches in Ligue 1.
Player to Watch
Ousmane Dembele
The Frenchman has hit a rich vein of form of late, scoring 14 goals in eight games, including two hat-tricks. The latest of the treble came in their most recent Ligue 1 game against Brest. Luis Enrique has been pleased with his usage of Dembele in the false-nine role, as his goalscoring number speaks volumes.
Enrique will want the French attacker on song in the upcoming games, first against AS Monaco and then with Brest in the UEFA Champions League. The attacker has the right momentum to build on his current form, as he will want to continue those solid performances when facing AS Monaco on Friday.
Prediction
PSG 3-1 AS Monaco
Monaco are in a decent vein of form in Ligue 1, but their appalling record against the top-five teams this season could paint a picture when facing PSG. Adi Hutter’s men could struggle in yet another game against the top sides, this time being the league leaders in PSG.
PSG certainly have momentum on their side following some big victories over the last few games, as Luis Enrique will look to extend his team’s gap over AS Monaco at the top of the table. The Parisians have the form on their side as they are expected to win against their rivals on Friday.
