Paris FC vs Monaco – News and Probable Lineups

Mônaco, who are vying for a spot in the Champions League, travel to the capital to face Paris FC at Stade Jean Bouin for Friday’s Ligue 1 fixture, eager to break into the top four after the 29th round this weekend.

The Red and Whites are on a hot streak with six straight victories in the top division, aiming to secure a seventh against a rival looking to clinch three consecutive league wins at home for the first time since their promotion.

Match overview

Paris FC’s choice to dismiss Stephane Gilli in February appears to be a cunning move, as the team’s recent performance justifies this decision.

The Parisians were positioned just above Auxerre in 16th place with a six-point margin after Gilli’s final match in round 23, but under Antoine Kombouare, they have remained unbeaten in five matches, currently holding the 13th spot, nine points clear of the relegation playoff zone.

Kombouare’s team has achieved two victories and three draws since early March, with both wins coming on home soil.

Previously managing just two home wins at Stade Jean Bouin with their prior head coach, back-to-back wins against Nice (1-0) and Le Havre (3-2) now put the league newcomers in a position to secure three consecutive home victories for the first time since their return to the top flight.

This will necessitate that the hosts replicate their earlier success against the league’s most formidable team, having won 1-0 in Mônaco back in November, a victory which broke a five-match losing streak against Les Monegasques dating back to 1974-1979.

Defeating Sebastien Pocognoli’s squad will be certainly a significant test, especially as last season’s third-place team is on the verge of moving into the top four with just six matches remaining.

With six consecutive wins, Mônaco, who are currently in fifth place, could potentially move up, ensuring a Europa League spot for the fourth position, while replacing Marseille in qualifying for Europe’s foremost club tournament, or they might displace Lille in third place, a position that guarantees direct entry.

While optimism about surpassing Marseille, who have lost the last two matches, is warranted, facing Lille could be a tougher challenge since Les Dogues have not lost in eight Ligue 1 matches, winning five of their last six.

Nonetheless, Mônaco, with 49 points, are in a solid position, benefitting from the one-point gap with the team in third, which puts them in a prime spot to capitalize on any errors made by Lille (50) or Marseille (49) in their quest for participation in next season’s Champions League.

With the visitors remaining unbeaten in their travels in 2026 and winning three consecutive matches after two scoreless draws against Le Havre and Nice, the away fans will be hopeful for a fourth straight victory on the road.

Team News

Despite Rudy Matondo making a return from suspension, the home side will be missing several players due to injury, including Jean-Philippe Krasso (knee), Julien Lopez (back), Pierre-Yves Hamel (calf), Vincent Marchetti (back), Tuomas Ollila (calf), Sofiane Alakouch, and Remy Riou, while Ciro Immobile is battling an illness.

Though Ilan Kebbal has not contributed any goals or assists since late January, he may re-enter the starting XI this weekend, looking to add to his 12 goal contributions this season (eight goals, two assists).

This total stands seven ahead of Moses Simon — who has three goals and two assists — even though two of the Nígerian’s goals have been decisive, exceeding Kebbal’s tally of a single match-winner.

Only four players—Wesley Said (six), Joaquin Panichelli, Mason Greenwood, and Ousmane Dembele (all five)—have registered more critical goals than Mônaco’s Folarin Balogun, who has four, with the USMNT forward’s recent goal proving crucial in securing last weekend’s win over Champions League contenders Marseille, which brings his Ligue 1 total to ten goals.

While they did not report any injury concerns against the Olympians, the fifth-placed team will be without Caio Henrique (thigh), Kassoum Ouattara (knee), Paris Brunner (hamstring), Vanderson, and long-term ACL injuries to Takumi Minamino and Mohammed Salisu.

Paris FC probable starting XI:

Trapp; Camara, Coppola, Mbow, Sangui; Munetsi, Lees-Melou, Matondo; Ikone, Geubbels, Simon

Mônaco probable starting XI:

Hradecky; Kehrer, Zakaria, Faes; Teze, Coulibaly, Camara, Mawissa; Akliouche, Golovin; Balogun

Paris FC’s home advantage and the memory of their victory in November at the Principality indicate that they are unlikely to be intimidated by Mônaco’s strong form.

Nevertheless, the recent away performances of the Monegasques and their superior individual talent suggest that this matchup could lean in favor of the visitors.