Pafos vs Monaco Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
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Cypriot champions Pafos have been competitive in the UEFA Champions League thus far as they take on a frustrated and inconsistent Monaco side this midweek.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Pafos preview: Competitive Pafos
Pafos, who have surprised many by reaching the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, have been competitive in their four matches thus far with a victory, two draws and a defeat as they sit inside the top 24.
Their most recent outing in this competition saw them squeeze past Villarreal by a goal to nil at the Alphamega Stadium a few weeks ago, courtesy of a Derrick Luckassen winner scored early on in the second-half.
Monaco preview: Inconsistent Monegasque
Monaco come into this one on the back of another woeful display as they suffered a 4-1 hammering at the hands of Stade Rennais at Roazhon Park in Ligue 1 at the weekend, following a 4-1 defeat at home to Lens before the November international break.
Sebastian Pocognoli was appointed Monaco boss during the October international break and they started reasonably well but the pressure is now growing on the former Royale Union Saint-Gilloise boss in the principality.
Pafos team news: Joao Correia suspended
Versatile attacker Joao Correia is missing through suspension for Pafos this midweek.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Michael; Felipe, Luckassen, Luiz, Pileas; Sunjic, Goldar, Rodrigues; Orsic, Dragomir, Sema
Unavailable: Correia (Suspended)
Questionable:
Monaco team news: Finding a solution
Paul Pogba has returned to full fitness for Monaco but he re-enters the footballing fold at a confused Monaco side that still have a couple of injuries, too, to defensive duo Eric Dier and Christian Mawissa.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Hradecky; Teze, Salisu, Kehrer; Diatta, Zakaria, Coulibaly, Ouattara; Akliouche, Fati; Biereth
Unavailable: Dier (Injured), Mawissa (Injured)
Questionable:
Pafos vs Monaco prediction
Pafos were exposed against Bayern Munich in their second game in this competition, but the Cypriots have remained competitive in all of their other games. The pressure really is on Monaco. Pocognoli’s reign began with grinding out results and resorting to a bit more defensive rigidity will now be imperative after recent back-to-back hammerings. A low-scoring encounter is therefore perhaps to be expected for this one in Cyprus.
Pafos vs Monaco Tip: Under 2.5 goals
