While Monaco’s season had started well, the momentum is now quite different for the club. After suffering a heavy home defeat against Lens three weeks ago (1–4), Monaco were soundly beaten by Rennes by the same score last week (4–1). With three consecutive league losses and sitting 8th in the league table, the Monégasque side will be eager to get back to winning ways on Saturday.
On the other hand, Paris Saint-Germain are experiencing a run of form that is quite the opposite to that of their upcoming opponent. Buoyed by narrow victories against Nice (1–0) and then Lyon (2–3) just before the international break, the club from the capital followed up last Saturday with a third straight league win, beating Le Havre 3–0. As a result, the Rouge et Bleu now hold a two-point lead over Marseille and Lens at the top of Ligue 1.
7 – Ousmane Dembélé has scored 7 goals against Monaco in all competitions over the course of his career, that's the highest total against any one club (on a par with Brest).
8 – Paris have scored at least three goals on the road on 8 occasions in Ligue 1 since the start of the calendar year. Only Bayern Munich (9 times) can beat that record over the same period from the Top 5 European leagues.
45 – With 45 wins in 98 meetings against the club from the capital, AS Monaco are the team that have beaten Paris Saint-Germain the most times in the history of Ligue 1.
In goal, Sébastien Pocognoli is expected to continue placing his trust in Lukas Hradecky, now preferred over Philipp Köhn. In front of the former Bayer Leverkusen keeper, Thilo Kehrer and Mohammed Salisu are the favourites to start, while Christian Mawissa and Eric Dier will be unavailable due to injury. Dutch international Jordan Teze, a natural right-back, could also be in the starting line-up, forming a three-man central defence.
In the wing-back positions, Brazilian internationals Vanderson and Caio Henrique would likely have the edge over Kassoum Ouattara and Krépin Diatta. In midfield, the usual captain Denis Zakaria is suspended and therefore absent, which should see Lamine Camara, impressive since the start of the season, maintain the balance of Monaco’s play. The Senegalese international could be supported by Mamadou Coulibaly, while Paul Pogba has just returned to action and could make an appearance during the match.
Aleksandr Golovin, the Russian midfielder, could play a bit further up the pitch in a playmaker role. On the right flank of the attack, French international Maghnes Akliouche is expected to start, as he has now established himself as the Principality club’s key asset. It remains to be seen who will partner him on the left wing, where competition is fierce between Takumi Minamino and Ansu Fati.
The former still seems to have the edge, as does Folarin Balogun in the centre-forward position. The American international has stood out since returning from injury and could be preferred over Mika Biereth, with whom he could also form a striking partnership. Meanwhile, George Ilenikhena, the promising 19-year-old forward, is expected to make an appearance off the bench during the match, taking on a super-sub role that has served him well in the past.
