PSG vs Monaco preview, team news and prediction

Paris Saint-Germain can secure their spot in the Champions League last 16 for a 14th consecutive season with either a win or a draw against Monaco in the second leg of their playoff clash on Wednesday at the Parc des Princes.

In the first leg, the defending champions of this competition staged a comeback to defeat Les Monegasques 3-2. The opening 20 minutes in Monaco were disastrous for PSG, but they showed resilience to overturn a two-goal deficit—a feat they hadn’t achieved in a Champions League knockout match this century.

Under Luis Enrique, PSG have now won four straight knockout games in this tournament, including their last two at home. Another victory on Wednesday would mean they have triumphed in seven of their last eight two-legged Champions League ties, and they have also won three of their previous four second-leg encounters in the competition.

PSG come into this match unbeaten in eight of their last nine competitive fixtures at the Parc des Princes, with their last two home wins achieved by a combined score of 8-0. The French champions are also unbeaten in their last five home meetings with Monaco and have not lost a single-leg knockout match against them this century.

Monaco, meanwhile, find themselves in a familiar situation—needing a win to keep their Champions League hopes alive. The club has been knocked out in their last three two-legged ties in this tournament and have not reached the last 16 since the 2016-17 season, when a young Kylian Mbappé helped them reach the semi-finals.

However, Sebastien Pocognoli’s side have won two of their last three matches against French opposition, including a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Lens on Saturday—a result that allowed PSG to reclaim top spot in Ligue 1. The last time Monaco overturned a first-leg defeat to win a Champions League knockout tie was in 2017, when they erased a 5-3 deficit against Manchester City by winning 3-1 in the return leg and advancing on away goals.

Monaco’s away form remains a concern, with just one win in their last five matches outside the Principality and 12 goals conceded in four Champions League away games this season. It has been nearly ten years since Monaco last beat PSG at the Parc des Princes, their last victory coming in a 2-0 Ligue 1 win in March 2016.

PSG vs Monaco Team News

PSG may be without Ousmane Dembele and Senny Mayulu on Wednesday due to calf strains, while Fabian Ruiz is dealing with a knee issue. Quentin Ndjantou Mbitcha is also expected to miss out with a hamstring problem. In goal, Matvey Safonov appears to have established himself as Luis Enrique’s first-choice keeper, having started the last six competitive matches in place of Lucas Chevalier.

In the first leg of this tie, Desire Doue scored twice for PSG, with Achraf Hakimi adding another for the reigning champions.

Monaco, meanwhile, are contending with a lengthy injury list. Paul Pogba, Mohammed Salisu, Takumi Minamino, and Lukas Hradecky are all sidelined with knee injuries, while Eric Dier and Christian Mawissa are doubtful due to hamstring strains. Kassoum Ouattara is likely to miss out with a calf problem, Maghnes Akliouche is questionable with a hip issue, and Krepin Diatta is also a doubt after picking up a knock. Aleksandr Golovin is suspended for this match.

Folarin Balogun gave Monaco a 2-0 lead with a brace in the first leg last week, and the American striker was on target again in their victory over Lens on Saturday, with Denis Zakaria and Ansu Fati completing the comeback.

PSG vs Monaco Prediction

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