AS Monaco face defending champions Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday in a clash that is crucial for both teams, albeit for different reasons. PSG need the three points in order to keep the pace with leaders Lyon while Monaco are fighting to remain in contention for a Champions League spot.
Monaco will be without defender Aymen Abdennour, who was quite impressive during his team's surprising 3-1 victory at Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday. Abdennour is suspended while Ricardo Carvalho and Andrea Raggi will miss out through injury. Leonardo Jardim's side are on a three-game winning streak and have conceded just once in their last eight games. The reverse fixture at Parc des Prices in October ended 1-1.
PSG are in good form as well, they are unbeaten in 11 matches in all competitions, clinching 14 points in their last six league matches. Laurent Blanc and his men are currently just two points behind leaders Lyon. However, they will be playing without striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Monaco after the striker received a two-match ban. Thiago Motta, Serge Aurier and Lucas Moura will also miss out but David Luiz should make his way back into the starting eleven.
Probable line-ups:
Monaco: Subasic - Elderson, Wallace, Kurzawa, Toure, Fabinho - Moutinho, Kondogbia, Dirar - Martial, Berbatov
PSG: Sirigu - Thiago Silva, Van der Wiel, Digne, Marquinhos - Matuidi, David Luiz, Rabiot, Pastore - Cavani, Lavezzi
My prediction: 1-1 draw.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Monaco win - 9/4 Draw - 21/10 PSG win - 11/8
vlado.mikic.50 9 years ago
A lot of us here ,at LCB expected a goalless draw.It really was not hard to predict.Monaco is playing very disciplinate.They do not make much errors in front of their goalkeeper,they do not allow lot of chances to the rivals ,so this match really looked like a draw,especially when you knew that Zlatan was about to miss...
A lot of us here ,at LCB expected a goalless draw.It really was not hard to predict.Monaco is playing very disciplinate.They do not make much errors in front of their goalkeeper,they do not allow lot of chances to the rivals ,so this match really looked like a draw,especially when you knew that Zlatan was about to miss this clash.
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vlado.mikic.50 9 years ago
With Zlatan's absence I really think that there is not going to be a lot of goals in this clash.I dont know the odds,but I predict a 0-2.Zlatan is very important for Parisien.On the other side,players of Monaco are still impressed with their success in Champions League,it can be a little problem for them.
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vlado.mikic.50 9 years ago
I didnt knew that Zlatan is absent tomorrow.It is a big information.Paris Saint Germain simply are not the same team without him.Yes ,they have quality substitutes but none of them is anywhere near to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.He is strong,fast and with fantastic technique.He is one of the best players in last 10 years.
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GREGJO 9 years ago
Why Abdennour is out? I think Monaco will miss only Carvalho, Bakayoko and Raggi. But Monaco has a good defender line so we will see a very boring match I think. Without Zlatan I don't wait a lot of good attacking move so for me it's a maximum 1 goal-match. Ãwho will score? I don't know. But I think it's surely a goaless...
Why Abdennour is out? I think Monaco will miss only Carvalho, Bakayoko and Raggi. But Monaco has a good defender line so we will see a very boring match I think. Without Zlatan I don't wait a lot of good attacking move so for me it's a maximum 1 goal-match. Ãwho will score? I don't know. But I think it's surely a goaless draw or a 1:0 win for the Parisien.
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vlado.mikic.50 9 years ago
Monaco is not easy task for any team,especially in France.Arsenal underrated them and lost easily.Monaco is full of confidence.Their biggest advantage is the fact that players absolutely believe in Leandro Jardim and they simply trust in everything that is said to them by him.
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kruno1414 9 years ago
A tough one in france , i was really impressed by the way Monaco played agains Arsenal in Champions League. PSG also was very good against Chelsea but that early goal of ivanovic gave them a lot of trouble. In this match if PSG wants to keep in race for championship they must win , but winning against a very tough team...
A tough one in france , i was really impressed by the way Monaco played agains Arsenal in Champions League. PSG also was very good against Chelsea but that early goal of ivanovic gave them a lot of trouble. In this match if PSG wants to keep in race for championship they must win , but winning against a very tough team like monaco is not going to be an easy task.
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vlado.mikic.50 9 years ago
Joao moutinho is top class player.I suppose he will earn a transfer to some of the top European clubs at the end of the season.He is playing in fanstastic form.He scores ,asssists and generally,he is everywhere on the pitch,all the time.He is a key player for Monaco in my opinion.but it does not have to be true :)
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h34dhunt3r 9 years ago
After awesome mid week for Monaco and shacky for Paris Saint-Germain, this will be sweet of the French football league. Berbatov versus Ibrahomovic, Moutinho versus Veratti. Monaco's confidence should be higher, and that's why we should expect huge clatch considering that Paris Saint-Germain has stronger squad. Monaco is...
After awesome mid week for Monaco and shacky for Paris Saint-Germain, this will be sweet of the French football league. Berbatov versus Ibrahomovic, Moutinho versus Veratti. Monaco's confidence should be higher, and that's why we should expect huge clatch considering that Paris Saint-Germain has stronger squad. Monaco is playing amazing defence, so goal won't be easy to consed for PSG players. My prediction: 2:2 with Monaco leading twice Man of the match: Jao Mutinho.
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vlado.mikic.50 9 years ago
Jardim is great motivator.I am sure he will find way to motivate lads to give their best even if they are very tired.We will see Berbatov and Ibrahimovic on the pitch.They are one of the best attackers in last decade.Monaco is playing fantastic team defence,so I also predict a bellow 3 goals on this match.
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vlado.mikic.50 9 years ago
Monaco is full of confidence after beating Arsenal in London.PSG also played good against Chelsea,but they were unlucky and did not manage to win.This is a proof that French football is getting better every day.This would be very interesting match to watch.I predict a draw.
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sharpe 9 years ago
After their great win in England, Monaco will be looking to repeat that great performance against PSG on their home field. LIke Johnny said in the preview that game is crucial for both sides but will Monaco will have the self-confidence to play two fantastic games in a row? For sure if you look at the squads of both teams...
After their great win in England, Monaco will be looking to repeat that great performance against PSG on their home field. LIke Johnny said in the preview that game is crucial for both sides but will Monaco will have the self-confidence to play two fantastic games in a row? For sure if you look at the squads of both teams they should be easily at the top in the standings but the things don't look that way for now.
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seculla 9 years ago
This match is the biggest derby in France. The richest clubs with the best players in France, but I think that PSG have better players and I think that they have more chances. But (and this is big BUT :D ) Monaco showed us in Wednesday that they know how to play against "better" teams than them and also their manager showed...
This match is the biggest derby in France. The richest clubs with the best players in France, but I think that PSG have better players and I think that they have more chances. But (and this is big BUT :D ) Monaco showed us in Wednesday that they know how to play against "better" teams than them and also their manager showed that he knows how to set up the right tactics to win a match. Anyway, this match is difficult to predict, but I predict that this will be very good match to watch.
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