Marseille vs PSG
French Ligue 1
Date: Sunday, 7th February 2021
Kick off at 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Venue: Stade Velodrome.
There will be fireworks when Olympique Marseille and PSG face each other in Le Classique in the Ligue 1 round 24.
OM are on a five-game winless run in the French top flight as they dropped a two-goal advantage in the 2-2 draw with Lens.
Andre Villas-Boas’ troops are eager to get back on course in the French top flight, but they are seen as underdogs in the Ligue 1 derby. All Balerdi, Gueye, and Khaoui return from suspension for the hosts.
Les Parisiens, on the other hand, welcome Neymar back to the starting XI.
The reigning champions rolled over Nimes 3-0 in their last league match, and, no doubt, they are high on spirits ahead of the trip to Marseille.
PSG are eager to regain top position in the starting XI, and seeing that Neymar is back, away win should be considered. Marco Verratti returns from suspension as well.
Marseille vs PSG: Head to Head
Teams Marseille PSG played so far 52 matches.
Marseille won 12 direct matches. PSG won 30 matches. 10 matches ended in a draw. On average in direct matches both teams scored a 2.73 goals per Match.
Marseille vs PSG: Prediction
Marseille in actual season average scored 1.38 goals per match. In 12 (92.31%) matches played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 7 (53.85%) matches in season 2021 played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
PSG average scored 2.64 goals per match in season 2021. In 12 (80.00%) matches played away was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 9 (60.00%) matches played away team was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Team News:
Marseille will welcome a quartet of players back from suspension for this derby, as Leonardo Balerdi, Pape Gueye, Michael Cuisance and Saif-Eddine Khaoui all missed the draw with Lens last time out.
The latter was never likely to start here, but Gueye will be expected to take his place in midfield alongside Boubacar Kamara with Valentin Rongier struggling with a tendon injury.
Alvaro Gonzalez - the man at the centre of a racism scandal involving Neymar earlier in the season - is said to have landed himself in more hot water after allegedly abusing a policeman who asked him to wear a mask.
The 31-year-old will certainly relish the chance to renew hostilities with PSG this weekend, but Balerdi could deputise if Gonzalez does not feature in the wake of his latest controversy.
PSG attacker Neymar is also back from a ban and is set to continue his battle with Gonzalez from the left-hand side, meaning that Sarabia will likely drop out despite his goal against Nimes.
Marco Verratti would also be eligible to play here after serving a suspension of his own on Wednesday, but the midfielder is fighting off a bout of coronavirus alongside Abdou Diallo, although the duo reportedly returned to training on Friday so have outside chances of being involved.
Sergio Rico will continue to deputise in goal for the injured Keylor Navas, who should be back in time to face Barcelona in the Champions League, while Marquinhos is touch-and-go with a groin problem.
Marseille possible starting lineup:
Mandanda; Lirola, Caleta-Car, Gonzalez, Sakai; Thauvin, Gueye, Kamara, Payet; Milik, Benedetto
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Rico; Florenzi, Kehrer, Kimpembe, Kurzawa; Di Maria, Gueye, Paredes, Neymar; Mbappe, Icardi