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We kick off this weekend with a selection of football tips and betting predictions, but before you dive into what our expert has to say about this Ligue 1 clash, make sure you’re getting the most for your money by scouring our selection of free bet offers and latest bookmaker offers.

As always, there is a huge range of expert predictions across our site, covering games from across Europe, so why not check out our European football tips or our hand-crafted European football accumulator tips?

PSG v Monaco

Paris Saint-Germain welcome title rivals Monaco to the Parc des Princes on Friday evening as two heavyweights of the French game go head to head in this blockbuster clash.

The home side have dominated domestic football in recent times, winning nine of the last 11 editions with only Lille (2020-2021) and Monaco (2016-2017) preventing them from claiming the title during that period.

However, the visitors are in fantastic shape to make a sustained challenge this season which should make for a fascinating game, one which is certainly primed for constructing bet builders.

PSG will be hoping to pick up from where they left off before the international break. After an uncharacteristically slow start to their campaign, Luis Enrique’s side have now won their last five Ligue 1 games on the bounce, claiming top spot in the league table in the process.

The hosts will no doubt want to build some momentum ahead of their crucial Champions League showdown with Newcastle United on Tuesday evening, as the Parisians have so far flattered to deceive in that competition, losing their last two away matches, and they’ll be keen to enter the game in form.

With some very astute business in the last few transfer windows, Monaco have started their league campaign in fine form this term, winning six of the opening nine matches and recording just one loss in that timeframe.

However, Adi Hütter’s side have faltered of late, especially on the road, losing 2-0 at Lille before playing out a 0-0 stalemate at newly promoted Le Havre last time out. The visitors will be looking to get their campaign back on track here and a statement win in the capital would certainly blow the title race wide open as they look to claim their first crown in seven years.

The head-to-head record between these two sides makes for interesting reading. PSG have historically dominated it but have come up short recently with only two wins in the last seven against Monaco.

In this fixture last season, a second half Neymar penalty cancelled out Kevin Volland’s early strike as the sides shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. However, it was Hütter’s side that prevailed in their latest meeting back in February, as Monaco ran out comfortable 3-1 winners in a home victory, as a goal from Aleksandr Golovin and a brace from Wissam Ben Yedder sealed all three points.

We’ve delved into the details so you don’t have to, and if any of our tips take your fancy, why not add them to your PSG v Monaco bet builder?

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PSG v Monaco Cheat Sheet

This Cheat Sheet and Preview was created using predicted lineups.

The research in this piece has been pulled together using the PSG v Monaco Cheat Sheet. There’s a wide range of stats to choose from, be it player passes or team corners. There are also referee statistics in the middle of the sheet too.

You’re encouraged to use the Cheat Sheet in any way that you want, however, if you’re unsure of how to use a Cheat Sheet, just click the link for some quick tips to help you make the most of it.

You can find PSG v Monaco stats on my Bet Builder stats tool, along with official lineups one hour before kick-off.

Now, for my breakdown and preview with recommended bets…

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⚽ PSG v Monaco stats: Parisians clicking into gear

Since suffering a surprise defeat to Nice back in the middle of September, PSG have won their last five home games in all competitions, scoring an impressive 15 goals while conceding precisely zero at the other end. That incredible run has seen Enrique’s side climb to the top of the table, leapfrogging their opponents in the process and they’ll look to accelerate further clear here.

The Parisians clearly enter this contest in greater form, providing the international break hasn’t derailed their momentum. Enrique will have been rocked by the news that teenage sensation Warren Zaire-Emery was injured for France at the weekend, but that loss seems trivial compared to the absence of star midfielder Youssouf Fofana for Monaco, and that feels a significant storyline.

The hosts will see this as an ideal opportunity to put some distance between themselves and the chasing pack in the race for the title, and as a result, the home side are strongly fancied to claim the victory. Playing on Friday night should also be beneficial as they prepare for an important Champions League game in midweek, so expect them to get the job done and then rest key players.

Predictions:

🏆 PSG to win @ 1.40

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⚽ Goals stats: Look out for an attacking masterclass

These sides are by far the most offensively gifted in Ligue 1 this season and we could be in for an attacking masterclass with the talent on display. Between them, they’ve scored a staggering 54 goals, which is an average of 2.45 across their combined matches, and there is every reason to expect more of the same in this top-of-the-table clash.

PSG have scored the most goals in the league this term, amassing a total of 29 from their 12 matches with Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi responsible for over half of those. Monaco have been impressive in the final third too, scoring a credible 25 goals in their 12 games, with Wissam Ben Yedder, Aleksandr Golovin and Takumi Minamino all getting in on the action.

This season has seen eight of Monaco’s 12 games land in the over 2.5 goals market, while nine of PSG’s 12 games have produced the same outcome. Interestingly, six of the previous nine head to head matches between these teams have also seen three or more goals, and that’s a sensible angle to focus on. Therefore backing over 2.5 goals for this game is a sensible play.

Over 2.5 goals is not the only play worth a look at in the goals markets, however, as we also like the look of a both teams to score selection.

Given the goals these sides have been scoring this season, it would be no surprise to see both find the back of the net in this one and that’s definitely worth consideration as part of the staking plan. It’s expected that the home side will find the back of the net with Mbappe spearheading their attack, while the away side are not without chance given the PSG backline has its frailties.

When looking at the xG in terms of goals given up, Enrique’s side may count themselves lucky that they’ve not conceded more than they have this season, as they continue to present plenty of opportunities. They have only leaked nine goals this term, but the statistics show they were expected to concede 12.1, and against a side as lethal as Monaco, that could certainly worry the home side.

With six of the ten most recent head to head games between these sides resulting in both teams getting on the scoresheet, this is also a good angle to focus on, especially with how frequently both are finding the back of the net this season. Honing in on the both teams to score market makes a lot of sense as these two sides are likely to serve up a real feast of goals under the lights.

Predictions:

⚽ Over 2.5 goals @ 1.36

⚽ Both teams to score @ 1.60

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🎯 Shooting stats: Mbappe the key for the hosts, but expect the away side to get chances

The goals aren’t exactly shared out within this PSG side, Mbappe plays a starring role from that perspective. The talismanic figure is currently scoring an average of over a goal per game as he’s found the net 21 times in just 20 appearances for club and country this season. The former Monaco man will again be the focal point for his side as he looks to add to his tally.

The home team are creating chances in abundance which is obviously benefiting the forward. From a shots perspective, PSG have amassed a total of 71 on target in the league this season, with Mbappe responsible for 21 of those, as he averages 2.15 per game. Against his former club, for which he’s been prolific since moving to the capital, we can expect more of the same here.

It’s easy to see why Mbappe has so many opportunities in front of goal as Enrique has built his team around the world-class forward. The midfield craft of Vitinha in the middle allows the French international to run onto through balls while the support from full back positions, in the shape of Lucas Hernandez and Achraf Hakimi, stretches defenders and creates space.

Having struggled on the road of late, Monaco are likely to come here looking to be aggressive and play on the front foot to secure a positive result. As such, they are taken to trouble the hosts in the final third, especially with the attacking talent that Hütter has. Looking at the statistics and trends, it’s evident that shots on target is an excellent angle to focus on for any bet builder selections.

Monaco actually lead their opponents in terms of shots on target this season having tested the goalkeeper on 74 occasions, compared with 71 for the hosts, and that should provide plenty of optimism for the travelling fans that their side can be competitive here. Encouragingly, they also had nine shots on target during their latest meeting and it’s not inconceivable that they rack a few up here.

Wissam Ben Yedder, Takumi Minamino and recent recruit Folarin Balogun are all likely candidates, but the in-form Russian Aleksandr Golovin is backed to have a big game having not been involved during the international break, arriving here fresh and ready to fire. The attacking midfielder has taken 18 shots this season with half of those hitting the target and he’s fancied to test the goalkeeper.

Predictions:

🎯 Kylian Mbappe to have 2+ shots on target @ 1.36

⚽ Kylian Mbappe to score anytime @ 1.53

🎯 Aleksandr Golovin to have 1+ shots on target @ 2.10

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🟨 Cards and Fouls stats: Hütter’s side lacking discipline

Despite their excellent form this season, Hütter’s side have struggled with discipline. In terms of fouls committed, Monaco have accumulated 179 in their 12 matches, an average of 14.9 per game, which in comparison to the Parisians is relatively high (119 fouls, 9.9 per game). In fact, the visitors currently sit third in the cards table having picked up 29 yellows compared to just 17 for the hosts.

The main culprit in this area of the game is left back Soungoutou Magassa. The French U21 international has committed a staggering 19 fouls in just ten appearances and has collected three yellow cards. In this game, he’s likely to be marking Ousmane Dembele, while also dealing with overlapping runs from Hakimi, and that could spell trouble as both are drawing over a foul per game.

This is certainly an interesting aspect of the game, especially as Monaco will likely set up to be expansive, hoping to collect some valuable points. Magassa looks very vulnerable in his matchups and could easily make a couple of fouls, which in turn could land him a booking from the officials. With Monaco likely to see less of the ball, it’s likely they will collect more cards during the game.

Predictions:

🟨 Monaco to receive the most cards @ 2.10

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* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.

* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.

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