Monaco's number on PSG is out of date
Runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain will be bouncing into their Sunday evening Ligue 1 clash with Monaco at the Parc Des Princes, having swept aside Club Brugge in the Champions League in midweek to qualify just behind Manchester City. The visitors are also in decent shape in Europe, but have had two fewer to recover for their daunting trip to the capital. Read our preview here:
Ave, María!
Mauricio Pochettino will only have three absentees from his matchday squad as he looks to maintain his side's double digit points lead over nearest challengers Rennes. Sergio Ramos' signing in the summer seems utterly superfluous at this juncture, and he remains on the sidelines alongside Neymar and Julian Draxler. Ander Herrera and Gini Wijnaldum's returns bolster an already strong looking engine room, whilst Leo Messi is starting to get into the swing of things in his new surroundings, as evidenced by his two-goal performance against the Belgian champions. Angel Di María will start on the right, and the likelihood is he'll extend his contract with the giants as he approaches 34. The front three are unlikely to contribute much defensively, and will combine their skills to exploit any weaknesses in the visitors' backline, all whilst retaining much of their energy levels.
Much Boadu about nothing
The principality side's 1-1 draw in Austria at Sturm Graz kept their unbeaten record in the Europa League intact this term, and that has been complemented of late with an upturn in their domestic fortunes. Niko Kovač appears to have steadied the ship, and ASM are now just three points off a podium place. However, their chances of getting another win over PSG have been dealt a severe blow with the suspension of striker Kevin Holland, and young Dutch forward Myron Boadu will have big shoes to fill if chosen to replace him. With just two goals to his name across the equivalent of 10 full games, he will need the support of fellow striker Wissam Ben Yedder and the wider midfielders to prevent it becoming one-way traffic.
Mere princes to the kings
There is no doubting that PSG's defence are less imperious than in previous campaigns, and with three outfielders essentially doing little to nothing outside of their own attacking third, there are chinks in their armour. That said, they are devastating on the counter, and betway have odds of 2.75 for a home in over Monaco with both teams scoring.
