French giants Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain are set to face off in the principality on Wednesday for the final Ligue 1 match of 2024. The game has been rescheduled to accommodate their participation in the French Super Cup in Qatar, slated for early January during matchday 16.
PSG manager Luis Enrique had plenty to celebrate after his team’s convincing 3-1 victory over Lyon on Sunday at the Parc des Princes. The win not only handed Lyon just their second loss in 15 matches but also extended PSG’s lead at the top of Ligue 1, as the rest of the top eight failed to secure victories over the weekend.
With this match played ahead of the rest of the league, PSG has the opportunity to close out 2024 with a commanding 10-point lead at the summit of Ligue 1. The Parisian side remains unbeaten in the league this season and boasts an incredible 31-game unbeaten streak away from home, with their last road defeat occurring at the Stade Louis II during the 2022-23 campaign.
PSG’s domestic dominance has been somewhat contrasted by their struggles in Europe. While a crucial 3-0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg in Austria last week kept their Champions League hopes alive, tough matches against Manchester City and Stuttgart still loom in the group stage. Enrique faces another challenging week ahead, with the Monaco clash quickly followed by a Coupe de France showdown against Lens.
Monaco has proven to be a formidable side both domestically and in Europe this season, suffering just one defeat in 14 home games. The Stade Louis II has been a tough venue for PSG in recent years, with Monaco securing three consecutive wins here before a goalless draw in March.
However, Adi Hütter’s men come into this match after a less-than-ideal week. A 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the Champions League dented their European campaign, and they couldn’t take full advantage of other top-four rivals dropping points over the weekend.
Despite Marseille and Lille drawing earlier on Saturday, Monaco was held to a 0-0 stalemate at Reims. While they remain level on points with Marseille and three points ahead of Lille, the draw extended their lead over Lyon to five points after Lyon’s loss to PSG.
As both sides gear up for this crucial fixture, PSG will aim to maintain their unbeaten streak and extend their lead, while Monaco will look to draw on their strong home form and recent success against the Parisian side to close the year on a high note.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Monaco will welcome Vanderson back to the lineup at right-back after his suspension, but they’ll now be without Jordan Teze, who is sidelined due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Injury concerns persist for Monaco, with Folarin Balogun suffering a recurrence of his shoulder issue, making his involvement unlikely. Breel Embolo was also left out of the starting XI over the weekend as manager Adi Hütter opted for a five-at-the-back formation. This tactical shift gave Kassoum Ouattara a rare start at wing-back, but after the team struggled to break down Reims, Hütter may return to the more familiar 4-2-3-1 setup that has brought them success this season.
For PSG, Desire Doue continues to impress after another standout performance against Lyon. The young talent, given a rare start, provided the assist for the opening goal and earned the penalty for the second, making him one to watch in this matchup.
Defensive rotations saw Marquinhos benched in favor of Lucas Beraldo, likely with the Monaco clash in mind. Randal Kolo Muani was a notable absentee from the squad entirely, fueling speculation about a potential January departure.
The Parisians received a boost with Lucas Hernandez and Senny Mayulu returning from recent setbacks last week. With no major injury concerns apart from Presnel Kimpembe—whose absence remains a tactical choice by Luis Enrique—PSG heads into the fixture with a fully fit squad.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Monaco possible starting lineup:
Majecki; Vanderson, Kehrer, Singo, Caio Henrique; Magassa, Camara; Akliouche, Golovin, Ben Seghir; Embolo
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Lee, Dembele, Doue
EXPERT PREDICTION
Monaco 2-2 PSG
Indeed, the upcoming fixture between Monaco and PSG is shaping up to be an exciting and crucial one, especially with Monaco having the opportunity to close the gap on PSG to just four points in Ligue 1. With both teams having a lot at stake, the match promises to be intense.
Monaco, currently in strong form, will be eager to capitalize on this opportunity to reduce the gap and challenge PSG's dominance. Meanwhile, PSG will be motivated not only to maintain their lead at the top of the table but also to extend their remarkable unbeaten run away from home in the league for an entire calendar year, which they achieved last March.
Given the high stakes, it's likely that both teams will approach the match cautiously. PSG, in particular, will be focused on defensive solidity, while Monaco may look to take the initiative and exploit any defensive lapses. While the clash could very well be a cagey affair, it could also open up into a thrilling encounter as the match progresses and the tension builds.
With these factors in play, it will certainly be a blockbuster way to close out 2024 in Ligue 1.
