Monaco vs PSG Prediction: Minamino to maintain back-to-back record in Ligue 1

It's been tough going for Monaco at the Stade Louis II over the last couple of months, and it doesn't get any easier for them on Friday night (KO, 20:00) as they welcome runaway Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain to the principality.

Monaco haven't won at home since December 3, and have picked up just one point from their last four there.

PSG, meanwhile, have been in rampant form on the road, winning their last five games in all competitions away from the Parc des Princes. That run of form has included three Ligue 1 victories and clean sheets at Nantes and Lens.

The Parisians are 11 points clear of second-placed Brest, and 13 ahead of Monaco who occupy the final automatic Champions League spot.

Team News

Denis Zakaria will be absent for Monaco on Friday night due to an accumulation of yellow cards, and the hosts have several others out injured, including Krepin Diatta, Vanderson and Breel Embolo. There are also doubts over the availability of Mohamed Camara, who has a knee complaint.

The visitors have a number of players out themselves, with Milan Skriniar and Marquinhos doubtful of featuring due to injury.

Kylian Mbappe has started two of the last three league games on the bench, but will expect to start against his former side on Friday.

Luis Enrique could make some changes to the starting XI that drew 1-1 with Rennes last time out though, with Warren Zaire-Emery, Randal Kolo Muani, Marco Asensio and Manuel Ugarte all looking to get the nod.

PSG have an important Champions League Round of 16 second-leg against Real Sociedad on Tuesday, so rotation is expected.

Match Odds

Monaco have won their last three Ligue 1 games against PSG at the Stade Louis II, and they are 9/4 to make it four in a row on Friday. The visitors can be backed at 21/20 for victory, with the draw available at 11/4.

Both teams have scored in Monaco's last seven league games, and it's 4/9 for that number to hit eight against the reigning champions. Four of the last six meetings between these sides have seen at least four goals scored, and it's 5/4 for over 3.5 goals to be struck this time around.

Monaco or draw and both teams to score - Yes @ 7/5

Monaco's recent record at the Stade Louis II is pretty dire, but they can take confidence in their past three home league meetings with PSG, who have shipped three goals in each of them.

With a lengthy lead at the top of Ligue 1, and with a crucial Champions League tie around the corner, PSG could be forgiven for having one eye elsewhere. That should play into the hands of Monaco who, despite struggling at home, have recorded a couple of impressive 3-2 victories on the road, against top-six sides in Nice and Lens.

A win may be beyond them, but I like the insurance of the Monaco double chance market. Those odds can be boosted when combined with BTTS - Yes, which has landed in the home side's last seven Ligue 1 outings, and four of PSG's last five in the competition.

Takumi Minamino to score anytime @ 5/2

The Japan international struck twice last weekend, the first an opportunist effort and the second a sensational strike with his left foot after a step-over. Those were his first goals in a Monaco shirt since a 2-0 win over Montpellier on December 3, but when he scores, another tends to follow in the next game.

Minamino has struck seven times in Ligue 1 this season - the first two of those came on matchday two against Strasbourg and he was up to three by the end of matchday three after scoring against Nantes.

The 29-year-old's next successful effort came against PSG on November 24, and in Monaco's next game, the reverse fixture with Montpellier, he scored his fifth of the league campaign.

Can the Liverpool cult hero strike in back-to-back games for the third time this season? At 5/2, it's a tempting possibility to back.

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