AS Monaco and PSG come into this weekend’s Ligue 1 clash at Stade Louis II with a vein of form that heavily contrasts each other.
Alarm bells are ringing around the reign of Sebastien Pocognoli, who was expected to deliver good results to keep AS Monaco in a relevant place across all fronts, ahead of the visit of PSG at Stade Louis II this weekend. Little did anyone envisage that the new manager replacing Adi Hutter would be the reason for a disastrous spell, as Monaco are currently staring at losing their fourth successive Ligue 1 game.
Having lost out to Paris FC, RC Lens, and Stade Rennais in recent games, which has seen them slip into eighth spot, and out of the European places as things stand. Even more worries are pinned on the defensive setup under Pocognoli, as they have lost their last two games with a 4-1 scoreline.
The AS Monaco fans had hoped for some respite from their domestic woes when the team travelled away to Cyprus to take on Pafos, which turned out to be another disappointing outing. Between goals from Takumi Minamino and Folarin Balogun, veteran David Luiz became only the second-oldest goalscorer in the Champions League, which spurred Pafos to steal a point late on through a Mohammed Salisu own goal.
Now, they are awaiting the formidable PSG to visit Stade Louis II, and Pocognoli will aim to arrest this terrible slump in form in Ligue 1. However, Luis Enrique is aiming to win a fourth consecutive game in Ligue 1, and the Parisians will aim to hold on to their two-point advantage at the top heading into the weekend.
Since their domestic loss to rivals Marseille, PSG have stitched together an eight-game unbeaten run in Ligue 1, and they are currently on a three-game winning streak. The latest in that run came last weekend against Le Havre, but the team does not have the aura of invincibility under Enrique that they had last season, as Marseille and Lens are only two points behind in the standings.
There are slight questions over their defence, as well as some in the attack, considering some key players are still missing. However, Enrique’s charges have found goals from everywhere, as seen in the big win over Tottenham in midweek, as Vitinha’s hat-trick took them into second spot at the expense of previous leaders Bayern Munich, who lost out to Arsenal.
Team News & Tactics
AS Monaco
Sebastien Pocognoli will have to make do without the defensive duo of Eric Dier and Christian Mawissa, with both those players not expected to turn up for this huge clash. AS Monaco will also be without key midfielder Denis Zakaria against PSG following his sending off against Rennes last time out, which will now see him serve a two-game suspension.
There will be a focus on whether high-profile and controversial midfielder Paul Pogba replaces the Swiss international, given that he recently made his comeback in the game following a lengthy doping ban. However, Pocognoli is highly unlikely to use the Frenchman from the get-go, as Mamadou Coulibaly will come into the picture in place of Zakaria in midfield alongside Lamine Camara.
Midweek goalscorer Folarin Balogun is also available for selection after serving his own top-flight ban. The USMNT international will lead the line for AS Monaco against PSG, with Takumi Minamino, Aleksandr Golovin, and Maghnes Akliouche behind him in the attacking setup.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Hradecky; Vanderson, Teze, Kehrer, Henrique; Camara, Coulibaly; Akliouche, Golovin, Minamino; Balogun
PSG
The away side’s issues eased up as Ousmane Dembele, for the first time since early November, played on the pitch as a substitute off the bench against Tottenham Hotspur. Desire Doue is still out of contention, and so is key full-back Achraf Hakimi.
Nuno Mendes was a starter in the midweek UEFA Champions League clash, but he was replaced at halftime by Lucas Hernandez, with the latter picking up a red card later in the game.
The PSG medical staff will assess the Portuguese full-back’s fitness before taking a call on his status as a starter at the weekend. With Hernandez’s ban not in effect in Ligue 1, there is a chance the French international will start, as Luis Enrique might not risk Mendes if there’s even a slight problem.
Enrique might go ahead with his preferred midfield setting of Joao Neves, midweek hat-trick hero Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz, while he could lean towards caution when it comes to starting Dembele. Hence, a front three of Bradley Barcola, Goncalo Ramos and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia could start for PSG in this trip to Monaco.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Chevalier; Zaire-Emery, Marquinhos, Pacho, Hernandez; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Barcola, Ramos, Kvaratskhelia
Key Stats
AS Monaco have lost their last three matches in Ligue 1.
Paris Saint-Germain have won their last three matches against AS Monaco in all competitions.
PSG are on an eight-game unbeaten run in Ligue 1.
PSG have won their last three Ligue 1 games.
Player to Watch
Vitinha
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Without Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele, some fans wondered where the goals came from. While Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Fabian Ruiz have been regular contributors, the Portuguese midfielder has taken his game to the next level.
The 25-year-old scored a stunning hat-trick in the midweek UEFA Champions League clash with Tottenham to make a statement of intent, and probably etch his name as one of the formidable holding midfielders in the world, with a goalscoring prowess. Once again, with Vitinha in top form, their eyes will be on the midfielder to continue with his momentum and help PSG in their domestic quest.
Prediction
AS Monaco 1-3 PSG
AS Monaco have not enjoyed a good run of games, and their recent results against PSG do not paint a good picture at all. Sebastien Pocognoli might have to engineer something extraordinary to stop the in-form and free-scoring Parisians.
PSG are seeking a fourth win on the bounce, and given AS Monaco have been a happy hunting ground for their liking in recent times, their good record against the hosts could continue. The visitors are the overwhelming favourites in this big clash, although they remain susceptible to conceding an odd goal or two in the process.