Paris Saint-Germain – Domination in Ligue 1
PSG continues to demonstrate its supremacy in the French championship, racing unstoppably towards another title. With a 5:2 win against Brest last weekend, they further cemented their position at the top of the table with 50 points from 20 rounds. It is impressive that only six times in the history of League 1 did a team have so many points in this phase of the competition, and even four times it was PSG. Every team that has had this kind of performance so far has won the title in the end, so it can be said that the Parisians are on the right track.
Their offense is their main asset and the reason why they are dominant. Luis Enrique’s side have scored in as many as 38 of their 40 home games since the Spanish coach took over, which clearly shows their lethality in front of the opposition goal. In the last 13 matches in all competitions, they achieved 12 victories and scored as many as 36 goals.
PSG is also in a great rhythm in the national cups – in the round of 16 of the French Cup, they easily defeated the lower league Le Mans with 2:0, without spending too much energy.
The next opponent, Monaco, is a team that the Parisians have already played twice in the last month – once in Ligue 1 and once in the Champions Trophy, and both times they came out victorious. Historically speaking, PSG have met Monaco more times than any other club in France (113 duels), but since the arrival of the Qatari owners, PSG’s dominance in this clash is clear – in the last nine home matches against Monaco, they scored as many as 27 goals and lost only twice.
An additional problem for the opponents is the top form of the two wingers – Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barkola. Dembele has been in incredible form, with 14 goals in his last eight matches, including two consecutive hat-tricks. Barcola is also shining, with 10 goals and an assist in his last seven matches.
However, PSG experienced certain changes in the January transfer window – Marco Asensio, Milan Skrinjar and Randal Kolo Muani left the club, all on loan. In addition, coach Luis Enrique is dealing with injuries in midfield as Joao Neves and Warren Zaire-Emery are question marks for this match.
Monaco – Struggle for the Champions League and problems at away games
Monaco are in a tight battle for the Champions League places, but problems against the top teams are spoiling their plans. Their record against the rest of the top five in the table this season is not promising – they have picked up just one point in four games, against Lille, while losing to Nice, Marseille and PSG, despite having the lead in all of those matches.
A particular problem is their poor away form – they are currently without a win in four consecutive matches away from home, their worst run for the side in five years. They received an additional blow in the Champions League, where they fell out of the top eight teams after losing to Inter (0:3), so now they will play a playoff against Benfica for a place in the round of 16.
However, Adi Hitter’s team showed character last weekend by winning over Auxerre (4:2), and new striker Mika Bireth excelled with a hat trick. He is expected to lead the attack against PSG, as Breel Embolo, Folarin Balogun and George Ilenikena are injured.
Monaco will also have to play without two regular defenders, Jordan Theseus and Wilfried Singo, who are sidelined with back injuries. Singo will miss the opportunity for the rematch against Gianluigi Donnarumma, after he accidentally caught him in the face with his boots in the first match, as a result of which the Italian goalkeeper had to get stitches.
One of Monaco’s key players, Aleksandr Golovin, came off at half-time against Auxerre with a minor injury, and his performance against PSG is questionable.
Betting suggestion
- PSG to win & 3+ goals in the match
Given PSG’s outstanding offensive form and the fact that they have already conceded 27 goals to Monaco in their last nine home games, this is a great betting option.
- Ousmane Dembele scores a goal
Dembele is currently unstoppable, with 14 goals in his last eight games, and is expected to continue his streak.
- Both teams score a goal (GG)
Although Monaco have problems on the road, their attack has shown that it can be effective, especially with the new reinforcement Bireth, who excelled against Auxerre.
- PSG scores 2+ goals in the first half
PSG often open games aggressively at home, and Monaco have had trouble keeping a lead against top teams this season.
