Prediction: Monaco vs PSG

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: bet365

New-look Monaco side will be looking to prove they are still France’s best team as they head into the French Super Cup game as reigning Ligue 1 champions. PSG, on the other hand, will want to get revenge on their rivals for losing the league trophy, and it will be interesting to see how they perform with both sides in pretty poor shape at the moment.

Monaco

Last season was a resounding success for Monaco, not only because they won the Ligue 1 trophy and reached the Champions League semi-finals, but also due to the fact that some excellent performances saw the value of the squad triple or even quadruple in the market. The Principality Club already earner over €150 million as Bernardo Silva, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Benjamin Mendy, Valere Germain, Nabil Dirar and Abdou Diallo were all sold, but they still face a serious battle to keep hold of the likes of Mbappe, Fabinho and few more first team regulars. Staying true to their new philosophy, Monaco continued to recruit young and talented footballers, adding Youri Tielemans, Jordi Mboula, Terrence Kongolo and Soualiho Meite to their ranks, while experienced Diego Benaglio joined as well. Having lost so many key players, it is clear that Leonardo Jardim will need a while to rebuild the squad, and that is why nobody was surprised by some under-par showings in pre-season. Monaco suffered a 2-1 loss to Sporting Lisbon in the final warm-up game for the clash in Tangier, with the Lions’ clinical finishing proving the difference.

Team News

Danijel Subasic looks set to be preferred to summer recruit Diego Benaglio for the time being, with Terrence Kongolo and Youri Tielemans the only summer signings expected to start.

PSG

Unlike their next opponents, Paris Saint-Germain had no reason for celebrations last term as they not only lost the title chase in Ligue 1 but also missed a glorious opportunity to reach the final stages of the Champions League. The 6-1 defeat at Camp Nou that followed the 4-0 triumph at Parc des Princes was a bitter pill to swallow, and despite defeating Monaco in the finals of two domestic Cup competitions, the Saints couldn’t be happy with the outcome of the season. PSG chiefs have been trying to further reinforce the squad over the summer, but they also face potential departures, although no key men have left the squad so far. Meanwhile, the Saints added full-backs Yuri and Dani Alves to their ranks and are reportedly trying to bring Neymar to Parc des Princes. The team have failed to impress at the International Champions Cup, sharing spoils with AS Roma before losing to Spurs and Juventus, conceding a total of eight goals in those three games, which is the main reason for concern ahead of the clash with Monaco.

Team News

There have been no reported selection problems for Unai Emery, although Marco Verratti is unlikely to start having played mere 45 minutes of football in pre-season.

Key Factors to Consider

• Teams’ last six meetings produced 21 goals
• PSG conceded eight goals in last three friendlies
• Monaco suffered 2-1 defeat in final warm-up game
• Both teams scored in three of their last four meetings
• Monaco and PSG have two wins each in last five meetings

Conclusion

It is perfectly clear that both sides are far away from the desired form and their new-look back lines are not doing well at the moment. On the other hand, we will see some of the world’s top attackers in Tangier, so we definitely expect both teams to score.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: bet365