Paris Saint-Germain will travel to the Stade Velodrome to face off against Olympique Marseille in Ligue 1 on Sunday evening.
Les Parisiens haven’t been at their best so far this term but they are too strong in this competition so they are currently at the summit of the table with 59 points from 26 games, sitting 12 points ahead of the second-placed Stade Brestois.
So, it seems almost certain that PSG will lift the league title once again this term. However, this game is one of the best fixtures in the French top-flight so it is expected to be an even contest.
Marseille haven’t been able to showcase their best this season as they are currently seventh in the league with 39 points from 26 games, sitting four points behind the top-four spot.
The hosts have enjoyed a stellar time at home as they have accumulated the most points and haven’t lost a single game, but the horrible away form has put them down in the table. So, Marseille will be desperate to continue their impressive form at Stade Velodrome against their arch-rivals as well.
Previous meetings
PSG have been dominant in this fixture as they haven’t lost to Marseille since 2020. In addition, Les Parisiens have lost only one out of the last 23 games in this competition. So, the hosts will be desperate to rectify their record against their arch-rivals by winning this game on Sunday.
How to watch
The game will kick off at 7:45 UK time and the match will be televised live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Supporters who want to be in the stands to watch the game live can purchase Paris Saint-Germain tickets at the clubs main website and ticket exchange. If they’re sold out, you can try an online reseller like seatsnet.com.
Team news
Marseille have a long list of injury problems at the moment as Valentin Rongier, Bilal Nadir, Michael Murillo and Samuel Gigot are all set to remain sidelined with their respective problems.
In addition, Jonathan Clauss sustained an injury during international duty with France and as a result, he is likely to be unavailable for selection as well this weekend.
Apart from that, former Watford star Ismaila Sarr and his compatriot, Pape Gueye are also set to be sidelined for this fixture owing to their respective problems.
As for PSG, they also have a few injury problems ahead of this game with most of those at their back. Presnel Kimpembe, Milan Skriniar and Marquinhos have all been struggling with their respective problems in recent weeks so they aren’t in contention to feature this weekend.
In addition, Bradley Barcola and Marco Asensio are also unavailable for selection in this encounter due to their respective injuries. Sergio Rico has been sidelined over the last few years following an accident and he isn’t ready to return to playing football yet.
Predicted line-up
Marseille have changed several managers with Jean-Louis Gasset being the fourth one of this campaign. The Frenchman started his tenure as Les Olympiens’ interim boss with five consecutive victories but the hosts will be coming into this game off the back of back-to-back defeats in all competitions.
Gasset is likely to field his side in the 4-3-3 formation with Pau Lopez expected to be between the sticks. In front of the Spaniard, Chancel Mbemba and Leonardo Balerdi could be the centre-backs for Marseille, while Azzedine Ounahi and Quentin Merlin could commence in the fullback positions.
Geoffrey Kondogbia is likely to be the holding midfielder and on either side of the former Atletico Madrid star, Jordan Veretout and Amine Harit could start.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to be in the left-wing position, while Iliman Ndiaye could be on the opposite side. Faris Pemi Moumbagna is expected to commence in the centre-forward role.
Expected Marseille line-up vs PSG
Lopez; Ounahi, Mbemba, Balerdi, Merlin; Kondogbia, Veretout, Harit; Aubameyang, Moumbagna, Ndiaye
As for PSG, Luis Enrique is expected to continue with his preferred 4-3-3 formation with Gianluigi Donnarumma set to commence in goal. Lucas Hernandez and Danilo Pereira could be paired up at the back for the visitors amid their key defenders’ injury absence, while Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes could be the two fullbacks.
Vitinha might be the holding midfielder with Fabian Ruiz and Warren Zaire-Emery likely to complete the midfield trio for Les Parisiens. Kylian Mbappe should start on the left flank, while Ousmane Dembele is expected to be on the opposite side.
Goncalo Ramos could lead the line for the visitors. Randal Kolo Muani has failed to showcase his best after his big-money move to the French capital from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer so he has found it difficult to play regularly in recent times and he might have to settle for a place on the bench in this encounter as well.
Expected PSG line-up vs Marseille
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Pereira, Hernandez, Mendes; Vitinha, Zaire-Emery, Ruiz; Mbappe, Ramos, Dembele
Key players
Having left Arsenal after falling out with Mikel Arteta, Aubameyang was struggling to showcase his best over the last few years, however, he has showcased glimpses of his old self after joining Marseille ahead of this season.
The forward has scored 11 goals and registered seven assists from 26 league appearances. So, Les Olympiens fans will be hoping that the African will be able to help his side beat their arch-rivals by putting his name on the score-sheet this weekend.
PSG have a star-studded attacking line-up so Marseille’s backline and their goalkeeper will have to be at their very best to keep a clean-sheet in this encounter.
As for PSG, Mbappe is their talismanic figure but he has been in-and-out of Enrique’s starting eleven in Ligue 1 this season as he is set to leave the club at the end of this campaign.
Nevertheless, it is highly likely that the Frenchman will commence on Sunday and he has all the qualities in his armoury to help his side win this game single-handedly.
Dembele is also a highly talented player and containing him will be a huge challenge for the hosts. In addition, Marseille will have to be careful about the threat of Goncalo Ramos as well.
Hakimi and Mendes like to go forward from the fullback positions so the hosts will have to minimise the duo’s attacking threat to come away with a positive result from this fixture.
Prediction
Although Marseille have enjoyed a stellar time at home this season, while PSG haven’t been at their best, containing Enrique’s side would likely be extremely difficult for the hosts.
However, Marseille will be hoping to keep their unbeaten run at the Stade Velodrome by taking advantage of the home support. However, in order to do that, they will have to contain PSG’s star-studded attacking line.
But, the game could eventually finish all square, nevertheless, it is going to be interesting to see how the story of the match eventually unfolds on the night. Marseille 2-2 PSG
