Paris Saint-Germain take on Monaco at the Parc des Princes in Ligue 1 on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts are looking to maintain their 100% record in the league after three matches.
Match preview
© Reuters
With 17 goals scored in just three games, PSG look like they are going to be incredibly tough to stop as they aim to retain their Ligue 1 title under new manager Christophe Galtier this season.
Galtier's side travelled to their manager's former stomping ground at Lille, where he sensationally won the Ligue 1 title two seasons ago, and ran out 7-1 winners in an absolute rout.
Kylian Mbappe scored the fastest goal in Ligue 1 history, with the France forward latching onto Lionel Messi's lofted through ball to fire the visitors ahead after just eight seconds. Goals from Messi, Achraf Hakimi and Neymar wrapped up the victory before half-time, with Neymar adding another and Mbappe completing a hat-trick in the second half.
Having learned their Champions League group stage opponents earlier this week - Juventus, Benfica and Maccabi Haifa - their main focus will, of course, be winning their maiden European Cup this season, but motoring along in Ligue 1 can only help their cause on that front, and they will feel confident of dispatching Monaco on Sunday on current form.
© Reuters
Monaco, of course, missed out on competing in the Champions League group stage after losing 4-3 on aggregate to PSV Eindhoven in the third round of qualifying earlier this month.
Philippe Clement, who massively improved Monaco's form after taking over in January earlier this year, has not made the ideal start to his first full campaign at the club, with their Champions League disappointment compounded by gaining only four points from their first three league games.
Indeed, their 4-1 defeat at home to Lens last weekend came out of the blue, with the visitors blowing Monaco away with goals from Lois Openda, Deiver Machado and Seko Fofana before the hour mark.
A lack of discipline will be a cause of concern for Clement, too, with Vanderson's dismissal their second in a row after Youssouf Fofana's red card against Rennes, and they must ensure they keep all 11 players on the pitch against PSG if they are to avoid being dismantled.
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- D
- L
- D
- W
- L
- D
- L
Team News
© Reuters
PSG will remain without Keylor Navas (back), Colin Dagba (calf) and Julian Draxler (knee) for the visit of Monaco on Sunday.
After such an excellent performance against Lille last time out, Galtier's only change may be to replace the suspended Vitinha with Leandro Paredes in midfield, with Messi, Neymar and Mbappe continuing as an attacking triumvirate at the top of their new manager's preferred 3-4-3 formation.
Monaco, meanwhile, will travel without Vanderson as the defender serves a one-match suspension, while Myron Boadu is ruled out with a foot injury.
Ruben Aguilar should replace Vanderson at right-back, while Mohamed Camara is likely to come into central midfield in an attempt to shore that area of the pitch up.
Yilan Okou and Willem Geubbels remain injury doubts due to muscle strains, but Fofana could partner Camara in midfield having served his suspension last time out, with former Liverpool man Takumi Minamino likely to be sacrificed in attack.
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Ramos, Marquinhos, Kimpembe; Hakimi, Paredes, Verratti, Mendes; Messi, Neymar; Mbappe
Monaco possible starting lineup:
Nubel; Aguilar, Disasi, Badiashile, Henrique; Lucas, Fofana, Camara; Diatta, Ben Yedder, Embolo
We say: Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Monaco
We expect to see a reaction from Monaco after their heavy defeat to Lens last week, but it is unlikely to be enough to prevent PSG from winning.
Galtier's side look more free-flowing in attack than ever with more defensive security than before, too, and they could be a tough train to stop in their tracks.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
