Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | Knockout Playoffs
by Alex Lawes ·
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For a second successive season, Paris Saint-Germain are involved in another all-French UEFA Champions League knockout playoff round tie in the very early stages of spring.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Monaco preview: Slight improvement
Sebastien Pocognoli has endured a very difficult stint in charge of Monaco since leaving Royale Union Saint-Gilloise for the Monegasque in October but there has been a slight improvement of late in terms of their performance level.
The hosts managed to ease to a comfortable 3-1 defeat of Nantes at Stade Louis II in their most recent outing at the weekend, meaning that they have now suffered just one defeat in their last six matches across all competitions.
Paris Saint-Germain preview: A major dip
Having won the treble last season, Luis Enrique’s previously all conquering Parisians have already given up the Coupe de France and they now sit second in the Ligue 1 table, behind an impressive Lens side.
PSG also failed in their pursuit of a top eight spot in the UEFA Champions League last month as they were fortunate to share a 1-1 draw with Newcastle United at the Parc des Princes.
Monaco team news: Several injuries
Monaco are dealing with several injury issues for this one such as the likes of Lukas Hradecky, Eric Dier and Takumi Minamino, while Maghnes Akliouche is also a doubt.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kohn; Vanderson, Kehrer, Faes, Caio Henrique; Zakaria, Camara; Fati, Golovin, Adingra; Balogun
Unavailable: Hradecky (Injured), Salisu (Injured), Dier (Injured), Cabral (Injured), Ouattara (Injured), Pogba (Injured), Minamino (Injured)
Questionable: Mawissa (Injured), Akliouche (Injured)
Paris Saint-Germain team news: Still no Fabian Ruiz
Fabian Ruiz was crucial to helping PSG win that treble last season but he remains sidelined for the visitors alongside youngsters Senny Mayulu and Quentin Ndjantou.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Chevalier; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Neves; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Unavailable: Mayulu (Injured), Ruiz (Injured), Ndjantou (Injured)
Questionable:
Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain prediction
Coming up against Stade Brest in the knockout playoffs last season, PSG ran riot and eventually won 10-0 on aggregate. The expectation is for the same to be the case here down in the principality of Monaco, even with the slight improvement of the hosts and the pressure being eased on Pocognoli, who appeared destined to be sacked just a month or so ago.
Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain Tip: Paris Saint-Germain to win -1 handicap
