The latest edition of Le Classique will take place in Paris on Sunday night as Paris Saint-Germain host their hated rival Marseille.
Marseille are just eight points behind Paris Saint-Germain in the Ligue 1 table and could reel in the league leaders. The Olympians sit in fourth place having lost just once in their last six matches.
Manager Andre Villas-Boas has done well at Marseille to start the term, but too many matches have resulted in draws rather than wins. Marseille have Ligue 1’s second-most draws with four from 10 matches.
Paris Saint-Germain have shockingly lost two matches already on the domestic front. While they are still steamrolling teams in Ligue 1, there have been a few that have stepped up to them this term.
It hasn’t helped that Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Edinson Cavani and Mauro Icardi have all missed time with injuries. Neymar is out of action once more after picking up a new injury during the October international break.
His new fitness setback has seen the French press mock him after the summer’s protracted transfer saga. It has now been reported that Neymar has missed half of Paris Saint-Germain's matches through injury or suspension since his transfer to the club.
Paris Saint-Germain have enough attacking threats without Neymar. In Champions League group play in midweek, Paris Saint-Germain dispatched Club Bruges 5-0. Marseille could be in for something similar.
Marseille have not beaten Paris Saint-Germain since November 2011. They have gone 20 matches in all competitions without beating their Le Classique rival. Last season, Paris Saint-Germain won twice by a combined scoreline of 5-1.
🔜🔥 #LesClassiques😤 @kimpembe_3 🔴🔵 #ICICESTPARIS pic.twitter.com/8UgPA2klYw— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) October 25, 2019
🔜🔥 #LesClassiques😤 @kimpembe_3 🔴🔵 #ICICESTPARIS pic.twitter.com/8UgPA2klYw
The Olympians may be improving under Villas-Boas, but they are not to Paris Saint-Germain's level. Thomas Tuchel’s Parisians have scored a league high 21 goals after 10 matches. They have also conceded the second-fewest goals with four.
Marseille have managed just 12 goals scored with 11 conceded. Forward Dario Benedetto has bagged five goals for Marseille this term. Angel Di Maria surprisingly leads Paris Saint-Germain in goals with just four. The figure shows the injury issues the Parisians have endured.
The largest victory in Le Classique history came in 2017 when Paris Saint-Germain won 5-1. Will the same scoreline occur again? Marseille should put in a decent defensive performance but ultimate concede goals to Tuchel’s team.
Sunday’s showdown at the Parc des Prince should see another Paris Saint-Germain win with over 2.5 goals scored. Expect Marseille to give it a fight and get on the scoresheet.