PSG host Marseille in crucial Le Classique showdown with title race implications
PSG aiming to maintain Ligue 1 lead with dominant home form
Marseille travel to face Paris Saint-Germain in another chapter of Le Classique hoping to revive their fading Ligue 1 title ambitions, although victories in Paris have been extremely rare in recent years.
PSG enter this round sitting two points clear at the top of Ligue 1, highlighting a tighter title race than they have typically experienced in recent seasons. However, Luis Enrique’s side appear unfazed by the pressure, winning six consecutive league matches, including four victories by a single-goal margin.
Their latest success came in a 2-1 win over Strasbourg last weekend, where PSG secured the victory despite playing with ten men. The Parisians were held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle in the Champions League in their most recent home match, but they remain incredibly strong at Parc des Princes domestically.
PSG have dropped just two points at home in Ligue 1 this season, winning eight and drawing one, and have not gone two consecutive home matches without a victory since May 2024. That dominant record makes them strong favourites heading into this rivalry clash.
Marseille boosted by cup success but struggling with late-game setbacks
Marseille arrive in Paris with renewed confidence after securing an impressive 3-0 victory over Rennes in midweek, booking their place in the French Cup quarterfinals. The result provided a timely morale boost for Robert De Zerbi’s side following a frustrating 2-2 league draw against Paris FC, where they squandered a two-goal lead.
That match marked the fourth time this season Marseille have dropped points after conceding in second-half stoppage time, highlighting their ongoing issues with game management.
Those costly mistakes have left Marseille facing an uphill battle in the title race. They are attempting to become only the second team in Ligue 1 history — after their own 1988/89 title-winning side — to recover from a seven-point deficit at this stage of the campaign and still finish in the top two.
PSG hold strong historical advantage in Le Classique at home
PSG have dominated recent home meetings against Marseille, winning 16 of their last 18 encounters at Parc des Princes, drawing once and losing once.
However, Marseille did claim a 1-0 victory in September’s reverse fixture, giving De Zerbi the opportunity to become the first Marseille coach since PSG’s Qatari takeover in 2011/12 to defeat the Parisian giants more than once in a single season.
Statistics highlight PSG control and Marseille’s late defensive issues
PSG have trailed at halftime in only two Ligue 1 matches this season, recording ten wins and eight draws at the break. They have also kept first-half clean sheets in each of their last five home league matches.
Marseille’s struggles have been particularly evident away from home against top opposition, losing all four league matches against teams currently in the top six.
Defensive concentration has also been an issue for Marseille, with ten of the 22 goals they have conceded in Ligue 1 this season arriving after the 80th minute.
Players to watch and team news
Désiré Doué is set to make his 100th Ligue 1 appearance and will be eager to end a seven-match scoring drought across all competitions. PSG remain unbeaten in league matches when Doué has featured this season, winning nine and drawing two.
For Marseille, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang arrives in good form after scoring in back-to-back matches. However, the striker has struggled historically against PSG, scoring just once in 12 previous appearances against the club, with that goal dating back to November 2012.
PSG will be without Achraf Hakimi due to suspension, while Marseille face a late fitness test on Igor Paixão.
