Monaco vs PSG Prediction 17.02.2026 | UEFA Champions League

AS Monaco head into this high-stakes European showdown buoyed by a resurgence in form at the Stade Louis II, having recorded back-to-back commanding home victories — a four-goal rout of Rennes followed by an emphatic 3-1 demolition of Nantes this weekend.

Manager Sebastien Pocognoli deserves significant credit for Monaco’s recent upturn, particularly after tightening the team’s defensive bold over the winter period. His side kept opponents off the scoresheet in four of their previous five outings prior to last weekend’s high-scoring affair, underlining a noticeable improvement in defensive discipline.

Although their UEFA Champions League league-phase campaign has been somewhat underwhelming, yielding just two wins from eight matches, Monaco can draw confidence from their earlier meeting with the reigning French champions, whom they stunned with a solitary victory at this very venue earlier in the season.

However, the club from the Principality faces a major challenge in terms of squad availability. Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky and defenders Christian Mawissa, Wout Faes, Mohammed Salisu, Eric Dier, and Kassoum Ouattara are all sidelined through injury, while winger Takumi Minamino also remains unavailable — a lengthy absentee list that could test Monaco’s depth in this crucial encounter.

For their part, reigning French and European champions Paris Saint-Germain travel to the Principality under rare scrutiny after their seven-match winning streak was emphatically brought to an end in a painful 3-1 defeat away to Stade Rennais on Friday.

The side coached by Luis Enrique must now shift their focus to continental matters, aiming to build on the remarkable momentum of a historic 2025 calendar year in which they lifted an extraordinary six trophies, most recently adding the inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup to their glittering collection.

While the Parisians’ attacking firepower remains undeniable and continues to be their greatest weapon, their defensive solidity has come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks. They have failed to keep a clean sheet in three of their last four competitive outings — a vulnerability that a rapidly improving AS Monaco frontline will be eager to exploit.

Unlike their French rivals, however, PSG travel with a largely healthy and near full-strength squad. Only Fabián Ruiz and Senny Mayulu remain doubts after recently struggling with minor injury concerns, providing the visitors with valuable depth ahead of this crucial encounter.