PSG predicted lineup vs Monaco - Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain welcome Monaco to the Parc des Princes from the top of Ligue 1 on Sunday night.

Mauricio Pochettino's side may have opened up a double-digit gap to second place but PSG come into the weekend's marquee fixture on the back of consecutive domestic draws. The capital outfit hasn't dropped points in three straight league games since April 2019 - incidentally, PSG ended that mini-drought against Monaco.

Here's the XI Pochettino may call upon to return to winning ways.

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Keylor Navas (GK) - Since Gianluigi Donnarumma made his debut in September, none of PSG's goalkeepers have started more than three consecutive fixtures. Sunday may well be Navas' turn after the Italian's midweek run out.

Achraf Hakimi (RB) - The most-used PSG player across all competitions is unlikely to cede that status through anything other than injury.

Marquinhos (CB) - PSG's captain fantastic in the absence of Thiago Silva supposedly rubbed off the Chelsea centre-back, who admitted: "I played for seven years alongside him, he taught me a lot even though he was younger than me!"

Presnel Kimpembe (CB) - With Sergio Ramos restored to his peripheral role and perennial fight for fitness, Kimpembe could make a return from his own injury issues this weekend.

Juan Bernat (LB) - Pochettino is keen to tread cautiously as the 28-year-old continues to be eased back from an injury-blighted stretch that afforded him just three appearances last season.

2. Midfielders

Georginio Wijnaldum (CM) - Neymar and Angel Di Maria's goalscoring equal (three goals in fewer minutes) this season is tentatively creeping closer to the starting berth he was guaranteed at Liverpool.

Marco Verratti (CM) - Orchestrating play from midfield, the perennially swivelling pivot is one of only four players in Europe's top five leagues to average ten or more open play passes into the final third per 90 (according to FBref).

Leandro Paredes (CM) - Fresh from racking up a century of PSG appearances in midweek, Paredes may earn his first consecutive league start of the season against Monaco.

3. Forwards

Angel Di Maria (RW) - The spare part to PSG's celebrity attack has directly contributed to nine goals in five finals against Sunday's opponents (four goals, five assists).

Lionel Messi (ST) - While the goals haven't flowed quite so readily in Ligue 1 - 98 players have netted more so far this season - Messi emerged from the Champions League group stage with more than double the tally of his former side, Europa League-bound Barcelona.

Kylian Mbappe (LW) - With more goals (and assists) than Messi and Neymar combined this season, Ligue 1's most prolific provider is making a strong claim for the title of best forward at PSG - if not beyond.

You can read 90min's full preview of PSG vs Monaco here