Team form

Monaco come into the match in mixed form, sitting 8th on 20 points with six wins, two draws and five defeats.

The concern for Adi Hutter will be the timing of their downturn. They have now lost three on the bounce, falling to Paris FC, Lens, and Rennes over the last three weeks. 

PSG, meanwhile, approach the fixture in a much stronger position. They lead the table on 30 points, two clear of second-placed Marseille, with a record of nine wins, three draws and only one defeat.

That 1-0 loss came in Gameweek five against Marseille, ending their four-match winning start.

Monaco have had a positive attacking output so far this campaign, scoring 25 goals, just two fewer than PSG. The issue, however, is at the other end. They have conceded the same number of goals they have scored, giving them the joint-third-worst defensive record in the league. 

Although PSG have a similar attacking power, their defence is starkly different to that of Monaco. With just 11 conceded this season, they hold the joint-best defensive record so far with Lens. PSG’s combination of attacking flair and dependable back line has been the foundation of their position at the top. 

Head-to-head

PSG hold the clear advantage in recent meetings, winning four of the last five encounters between the sides. The only exception was a goalless draw during the 2023-24 season. 

This clash is typically full of goals, with 32 scored across the last 10 matches, though 20 of those have ended up in the back of the Monaco net. 

Across their four most recent PSG victories, three of them produced four or more goals. The standout example came in 2023, when PSG edged a seven-goal contest at the Parc des Princes, winning 5-2 in one of the most memorable clashes between the clubs in recent years.

Monaco’s last success in this fixture came back in the 2022-23 season, where they beat PSG 3-1 at home.

Team news

Monaco remain stretched heading into the weekend. Eric Dier is out with a calf injury, while Christian Mawissa is still sidelined by a thigh problem, though he is expected to make a return in early December. Denis Zakaria is also unavailable after receiving a red card against Rennes, cutting short only his second match back from injury.

PSG also have key absences. Achraf Hakimi is sidelined with an ankle injury, and Desire Doue remains out with a hamstring issue. 

However, Luis Enrique could receive a boost through the return of Ousmane Dembele. He is reportedly set to return from a calf injury in the upcoming Champions League match against Tottenham Hotspur, and if he features in that game, he would be likely in contention for the trip to Monaco at the weekend.

Key stats

• Both teams have a similar average of goals per game, with Monaco on 1.9, and PSG edging with 2.1.

• Monaco have conceded significantly more goals than PSG, with an average of 1.9 per game compared to 0.8.

• PSG have averaged 1.3 cards per game so far this season, while Monaco have averaged almost double, with 2.5.

• Bradley Barcola and Asnu Fati are the leading scorers for PSG and Monaco, respectively, with five goals each.

•  PSG’s Lucas Chevalier has the most clean sheets in the league so far this season, with seven.

Prediction

PSG come into this match with stronger form, better defence and more reliable attack, which should give them the edge.

Monaco can threaten going forward, but their recent run and weak back line suggests that PSG are more likely to take all three points.