Marseille-Paris: Classique fever

Rankings update

After a near-perfect start to the season, Marseille suffered their first and only defeat of the season at the end of September at RC Strasbourg Alsace (1-0). That defeat was followed by a 1-1 draw at home to Angers SCO a week later. Since then, the international break has come and gone, and Marseille have responded with a comprehensive 0-5 win at Montpellier last weekend. With a record of 5 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat in the league this season, the Phocéens are third in the table on 17 points.

For their part, Paris Saint-Germain made a similar start to the season in the league, before being held to a 1-1 draw at Stade de Reims and a 1-1 draw at OGC Nice just before the break. Since then, the Rouge et Bleu have returned to winning ways last weekend against Strasbourg at the Parc des Princes (4-2), before coming up against a solid PSV Eindhoven side in midweek (1-1). In the standings, the Parisians are back on top with 20 points thanks to a better goal difference than AS Monaco.

DYNAMIcs in numbers 

opposing forces

Roberto De Zerbi and his team mainly played a 4-2-3-1 system at the start of the season, followed more recently by a 4-3-3 formation. In goal, Argentinian international Gerónimo Rulli, who arrived this summer from Ajax Amsterdam, is already establishing himself as one of Marseille's key players. In front of him, it is the Leonardo Balerdi/Derek Cornelius central defence that stands out. Balerdi, who inherited the captain's armband last season, has been making a strong impression, while Cornelius is making his mark after moving to Marseille during the summer transfer window. It is a powerful pairing that could feature against the Parisians, whilst Bamo Meïté is expected to start on the bench and Chancel Mbemba is not in the plans of the OM coach.

At right-back, competition is fierce between Amir Murillo and Pol Lirola. The same is true on the other side, where the uncertainty surrounding the presence of Quentin Merlin could see the Marseille staff to choose between Lilian Brassier and Ulisses Garcia, who is back in the running after being left out of the squad during the build-up. In midfield, former Inter Milan and Atlético Madrid player Geoffrey Kondogbia remains a safe bet for Marseille, who could also use his versatility to slot him in a deeper role alongside Balerdi in defence. Whatever the case, Marseille will still be able to rely on Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, who has performed well in defensive midfield since the start of the season.

Alongside him, French international Adrien Rabiot is also expected to start, and he could be joined by Amine Harit, scorer of 2 goals and 4 assists in 8 Ligue 1 games this season. The Moroccan international would then be preferred to Valentin Rongier, who has a more defensive profile, and Canadian international Ismaël Koné. Argentina's very young international Valentín Carboni (19) will not be available for the match, however, as he has ruptured cruciate ligaments in his knee. The Phocéens have no shortage of quality up front either.

In the centre-forward position, Neal Maupay and Elye Wahi are battling it out for the starting spot. The latter, who has already scored 43 goals and provided 19 assists in Ligue 1 at the age of 21, is being tipped to start against Les Rouge et Bleu. On the right flank, however, there is little uncertainty: England international Mason Greenwood (6 goals and 1 assist in Ligue 1 this season) is expected to start. Luis Henrique (4 goals, 3 assists) is expected to round off OM's attacking line, preferred to the promising Jonathan Rowe (2 goals, 1 assist) preferred on the left wing. As the Parisians know, they face a direct title rival this Sunday evening at the Orange Velodrome.