PSG vs Monaco: Goals expected in Coupe de France semi-final

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Monaco took a step closer to clinching their first Ligue 1 title since the 1999/2000 season by producing a 2-1 victory over fourth-placed Olympique Lyon to regain control of the title race. Paris Saint-Germain had moved in front with a straightforward 2-0 win against a mid-table Montpellier side 24 hours prior, but, with a game in hand, it is still Monaco’s title to lose.

However, both Monaco and PSG will have to put the title race to the back of their minds this week, as they come together to fight for a place in the 2016/17 Coupe de France final. While undoubtedly the two best sides in France this year, the luck of the draw has pitted them together at the semi-final stage. The tie set to be played on Wednesday 26th April, with kick-off scheduled for 8:05pm BST.

Despite trailing in the league, PSG will go into the fixture as favourites to reach the last two, with the game taking place at the Parc des Princes. Unai Emery’s side have yet to suffer defeat at home so far this season and having successfully held off the likes of Arsenal and Barcelona in the Champions League, they will be confident that they can do the same against Monaco on Wednesday evening.

It was the Paris-based side that prevailed in France’s other cup competition, the Coupe de la Ligue, earlier this month. They recorded a shocking 4-1 victory over Monaco in the final on that occasion. The scoreline was far from what we have come to expect from Leonardo Jardim’s free-scoring side this season, but it certainly made it clear where their priorities lie. With just four games left to play in Ligue 1, Monaco will certainly be more concerned about clinching the title than progressing in the cup.

However, it will be far from an easy game for PSG. Monaco boast one of the best attacking units in Europe and are bound to go into this one with their usual energy. PSG have yet to concede in the Coupe de France so far, scoring 17 times in four matches in the process, but we can expect that to change against a Monaco side that have scored in all but two of the games that they have played this season.

Despite impressing throughout, star wonderkid Kylian Mbappé has stepped up his form in recent months. He now has 16 goals in his last 15 appearances for the club and, after opening the scoring against Lyon at the weekend, he will be confident of grabbing another. He will be joined upfront by veteran goalscorer Radamel Falcao, who also found the net against Lyon to take his tally to four goals in his last four games.

With Ligue 1’s top goalscorer Edinson Cavani leading the line for PSG, having scored 44 goals in 44 games in all competitions, football fans can expect an attacking masterclass on Wednesday. Although, buoyed on by the support of their fans, PSG should snatch a narrow win.