Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will seek a record-extending 14th title when they cross swords with AS Monaco in the final of French Cup 2021 at the Stade de France on Thursday, May 20.
PSG, for one, have lost twice to AS Monaco in the Ligue 1 this season (2-3 and 0-2) but will take confidence from their head-to-head record in the French Cup. In the last five meetings against Monaco in the tournament, PSG have won all games without conceding a goal.
The most recent French Cup fixture between AS Monaco and PSG came in the 2016-17 edition where the latter, then coached by Unai Emery, ran riot with a 5-0 win in the semi-finals.
Monaco, on the flip side, are now making their first French Cup final appearance in 11 years. Niko Kovac’s men have been in fine form this season, and will aim to end their ongoing winless run against PSG in the French Cup final.
AS Monaco vs PSG team news and injury updates
Niko Kovac will have an almost full-strength AS Monaco side at his disposal, with Willem Geubbels and attacking midfielder Sofiane Diop (ankle sprain) the only notable absentees ahead of the final. Veteran striker Stevan Jovetic is likely to feature in the title clash should he shrug off a calf injury in time.
PSG, meanwhile, have a lot of concerns to tend with Neymar and Presnel Kimpembe suspended, while Layvin Kurzawa (sprained ankle) and Marco Verratti (knee injury) will not play again this season. Julian Draxler is another big name on the injury list (hamstring) while Idrissa Gueye and Abdou Diallo also remain doubts with gastrointestinal problems.
AS Monaco vs PSG probable playing XI
AS Monaco probable XI: Radosław Majecki; Djibril Sidibe, Guillermo Maripan, Benoît Badiashile, Caio Henrique; Gelson Martins, Youssouf Fofana, Aurélien Tchouameni, Aleksandr Golovin; Wissam Ben Yedder, Kevin Volland
Paris Saint-Germain probable XI: Keylor Navas; Alessandro Florenzi, Marquinhos, Thilo Kehrer, Mitchel Bakker; Leandro Paredes, Ander Herrera; Angel Di Maria, Rafinha, Kylian Mbappe; Moises Kean
AS Monaco vs PSG prediction
It goes without saying that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are backed by the odds to win their 14th French Cup title. However, if anything, the contest could possibly go into additional extra time or penalties considering the squad depth of Monaco and their recent Ligue 1 record against Les Parisiens.
Featured photo: AFP / Franck Fife
