One of the most anticipated fixtures in French football takes centre stage on Sunday night (19:45PM BST) as Marseille host Paris-Saint Germain at the Orange Vélodrome. La Classique is always charged with passion, and this edition has added intrigue given the contrasting starts both clubs have made to the new Ligue 1 campaign. 

Luis Enrique’s European champions have made a perfect start to the season, while Roberto De Zerbi’s side have endured a stuttering start. The cauldron atmosphere of the Vélodrome will ensure that nothing is straightforward for PSG, but the visitors will arrive as strong favourites.

Team form

Marseille have yet to find consistency. They opened with a defeat to Rennes before bouncing back with a 5-2 win over Paris FC. Another setback came against Lyon, where CJ Egan-Riley was sent off in a 1-0 defeat, but their most recent outing, a 4-0 demolition of Lorient at home, gave supporters a glimpse of what OM are capable of when at their best. 

PSG have been relentless. Four wins from as many games leaves them sitting at the top of the table by two points. Their campaign began with two gritty 1-0 victories over Nantes and Angers, before winning a nine-goal thriller 6-3 against Toulouse. Last weekend, PSG ran out 2-0 victors over Lens at the Parc des Princes. 

Head-to-head

For Marseille, the form book makes for bleak reading. They haven’t beaten PSG in Ligue 1 since 2020, a run of 10 games without victory. In that time, the Parisians have won nine and drawn once, with PSG winning the last seven straight and OM managing to score just two goals in those games. De Zerbi will need to find a way to break this cycle if Marseille are to turn the tide. 

Team news

Summer signing Nayef Aguerd made a fantastic debut for Marseille when scoring in the 4-0 win over Lorient last weekend, but he later suffered a head injury and will be sidelined under concussion protocols. 

PSG have arguably the bigger worries. Enrique faces an attacking reshuffle with several stars unavailable. Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué both sustained injuries on international duty, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was forced off against Lens with a calf problem and is ruled out.

Key Stats

• Mason Greenwood has been in fine form for Marseille, contributing two goals and three assists in four matches, making him their standout attacking threat.

• Bradley Barcola is stepping up impressively for PSG in attack, recording three goals and two assists in his last two games. 

• Vitinha has also been influential, tallying one goal and two assists in four appearances for Enrique’s side.

• PSG have won seven consecutive Ligue 1 meetings against Marseille, conceding just two goals in that period.

Prediction

Marseille’s emphatic win over Lorient will have boosted morale, and the Vélodrome atmosphere always raises OM’s energy levels. However, their long-standing struggles against PSG and the gulf in quality between the squads remain hard to ignore. Even with Enrique missing some of his attacking stars, the champions look too strong, too disciplined, and too ruthless for a Marseille side still finding its rhythm this season.