Monaco v PSG – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Monaco face PSG at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Wednesday in the Coupe de France final. PSG lifted the trophy last season and are looking for their 14^th triumph in this competition and the first genuine silverware of coach Mauricio Pochettino’s managerial career. Monaco have not lifted this cup since 1991 and are looking for their first prize since winning Ligue 1 in 2017.

Monaco are in superb form. They have lost just one of their last 13 matches in all competitions, a 3-2 home defeat to Lyon in early May. They have won seven of their last eight matches and three in a row since that lone defeat.

A 1-0 win at Reims was followed by a 5-1 thrashing of Rumilly Vallières in the Coupe de France semi-final with Aurelien Tchouameni, Wissam Ben Yedder, Cesc Fabregas and Aleksandr Golovin amongst the scorers. In their last match, Monaco beat Rennes 2-1 in Ligue 1 as Ben Yedder and Golovin were again on target

Monaco Team News

Niko Kovac has young forward Willem Geubbels available after serving a suspension but he is expected to be amongst the substitutes. Veteran forward Stevan Jovetic is touch-and-go due to a calf problem but Sofiane Diop is out with an ankle injury.

Ruben Aguilar and Gelson Martins are hoping to be selected and goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki is hopeful of keeping his place in goal ahead of first Benjamin Lecomte having played during this run to the final

Monaco Motivation

Monaco will be very eager to lift this trophy having lost in the final to PSG in 2011. However, the side currently sits in the third UEFA Champions League spot in Ligue 1 with one match to play and a one point lead over Lyon. Without doubt, that is more important than winning this cup.

Nevertheless, Kovac will go all out to win this match with his side in superb form. He may have one eye on the trip to Lens on Sunday so will want to attack and either win, or lose, in regulation time

PSG Form

PSG sit second in Ligue 1 with one match to play. If Lille win, they will be crowned champions and PSG will lose their crown. Pochettino’s side are not in the best form right now either as their last six matches have seen just two wins as they lost 2-1 at home to Man City and 2-0 away against Pep Guardiola’s team. A very poor 1-1 Ligue 1 draw at Rennes followed which may cost them the title.

PSG’s last two matches saw a 2-2 draw at Montpellier in the Coupe de France but they progressed to this final on penalties before a convincing 4-0 home victory against Reims, albeit playing against ten men for 80 minutes.

PSG Team News

PSG are going to be below strength for this match. Star man Neymar is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards and top centre back Presnel Kimpembe is also banned after a recent red card. Moise Kean and Thilo Kehrer could come start in their places respectively.

Pochettino also has doubts over Idrissa Gueye in midfield, Abdou Diallo at the back and Julian Draxler in attack. Marco Verratti is out for the rest of the season with an injury in midfield but Leandro Paredes should return to start in the engine room.

PSG Motivation

With no trophies this season, PSG will be extremely motivated to at least lift the Coupe de France. Several poor recent results in Ligue 1 means that Pochettino’s expected litany of silverware in Paris is yet to materialise. The coach has only a French Super Cup to his name and is chasing the first genuine trophy of his management career.

PSG will attack and look to win this match and will also want to avoid extra time if possible so that they are fresh for their trip to Brest on Sunday where they need to win and hope that Lille drop points if PSG are to be champions.

Key Stats

Monaco have lost 1 of their last 13 matches in all competitions (W10, D2)

Monaco have won 7 of their last 8 Ligue 1 matches

Monaco’s Ben Yedder in second top scorer in Ligue 1 with 20 goals

Monaco have won their last 2 matches against PSG

Monaco have kept 1 clean sheet in their last 4 matches

PSG have won 2 of their last 6 matches (D2, L2) in all competitions

PSG have lost 4 of their last 16 Ligue 1 matches

PSG’s Mbappe is top scorer in Ligue 1 with 26 goals

PSG have kept 1 clean sheet in their last 7 matches in all competitions

Prediction

This should be an entertaining match. Monaco are in superb form, have a good recent record against PSG and face a team missing a couple of key players. Kovac’s side have a great chance to lift this trophy and that may be the best bet considering PSG’s recent poor form.