Monaco goes head-to-head with PSG in rescheduled L1 clash.
[introduction]
Rescheduled to an earlier date due to the upcoming Trophée des Champions clash between both sides, Monaco take on Les Parisiens, hoping to remain unbeaten in five home games against PSG. Monaco vs. PSG kicks off at 20:00 [GMT] on Wednesday, December 18, at the Stade Louis II.
[home]
Monaco endured a challenging week, starting with a 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League, where they failed to score, followed by a goalless draw away to Reims. Currently 3rd in Ligue 1, this fixture presents an opportunity for the Red and Whites to close the gap on the league leaders to seven points. Remarkably, Monaco are set to become the side Paris Saint-Germain have faced the most in Ligue 1 [96 matches, tied with Bordeaux before Wednesday’s clash]. Historically, Monaco have been PSG’s toughest opponent in the league, winning the most games against the visitors in the top flight. Additionally, Monaco has been in stellar form on home turf against Les Parisiens, remaining unbeaten in their last four home matches against the French Champions [3W, 1D, 0L]. Should Monaco avoid defeat here, they will become the first team to go five home matches unbeaten against PSG during the Qatar Sports Investments [QSI] era, a feat previously achieved only by Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Rennes [4 games each]. Manager Adi Hütter will likely rely on Breel Embolo to lead the attack in a 4—5—1 setup. However, Monaco will be without Jordan Teze, who is suspended, along with three other injured players.
[away]
League leaders Paris Saint-Germain are riding high on confidence following back-to-back commanding victories: a 3-0 win over Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League and a 3-1 win over Olympique Lyon in Ligue 1. PSG will be looking to extend a 15-game unbeaten run [11W, 4D, 0L] when they make the trip to Monaco. Paris could go unbeaten in their opening 16 matches of a season for the sixth time in club history, four more than any other team. Notably, the last 10 teams to go unbeaten through their first 16 league games went on to win the Ligue 1 title, suggesting PSG are on track to add another domestic silverware to their storied history. The reverse fixture against Monaco ended in a goalless draw, but Luis Enrique will be hoping his team produces a more clinical display this time around. Despite the recent string of criticism, the 54-year-old coach insists this is the best season at PSG. “Statistically speaking, it’s the best of my career,” he said before PSG’s win over Lyon. Enrique is expected to deploy Gonçalo Ramos, Bradley Barcola, and Kang-In Lee at the attacking end of a 4—3—3 formation. Presnel Kimpembe is PSG’s only injury concern for this midweek clash.
