Verdict: PSG win
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Le Classique, episode 107, will take place at the Stade Velodrome on Saturday night in front of 67, 000 passionate fans. A highly anticipated showdown between Kylian Mbappe and OM s defence will be the icing on the cake, under a predicted volcanic atmosphere in the stands.
Marseille
Stability is not the right word to describe the hosts current season. The team from the South of France has had a rollercoaster ride where instability at every level prevailed. From changing two coaches during the season to a unilateral contract ending of players, OM is the victim of disastrous leadership this season.
Despite these setbacks, Marseille managed to find stability under coach Jean-Louis Gasset. The experienced French coach has put Marseille back in the fight for an unexpected next season s Champions League qualification.
What s more, the new boss qualified his team for the quarter-finals of the Europa League at the end of a fiery double-header with Villarreal that finished 5-3 on aggregate. However, the host team s busy schedule led to the accumulation of fatigue which ultimately resulted in OM s first league defeat under Gasset.
Still, Marseille has an incredible home record this season. The Phocaeans have been invincible so far at Veldormome across all competitions, a feat they will look to extend against PSG.
With 12 rounds left to play, Marseille need a positive result against PSG to stay in Lille s grasp who sits in 4th place. It s shaping up to be a fierce battle for Champions League qualification, with Lille, Nice and Lens currently holding an advantage over Marseille.
Jean-Louis Gasset needs to show his strategist skills given the difficult upcoming league matches and the tricky Europa League double-leg knock-out games with Portuguese champions, Benfica.
Team News
OM are facing an injury crisis. No less than four starters will not be able to face PSG at Velodrome Stadium. Valentin Roniger s kneecap recovery is progressing slowly. Most likely the talented central midfielder will not play again for Marseille this season.
Right-back Amir Murillo is out with an adductor injury sustained in January. Bilal Nadir suffered a major blow turning his ligament, an injury that will see him out for the remainder of the season. Samuel Gigot is also out with a shoulder injury. However, his recovery is on track with the centre-back expected to return in April.
PSG s dominance in Ligue 1 has been ruthless over the last 10 years, with a few exceptions. If winning the championship is no longer considered an extraordinary success, progress in the Champions League remains the ultimate goal.
This was also evident this season when the reigning champions rested their players in the championship matches before the Champions League clashes. However, given the huge rivalry with Marseille, we can expect Luis Enrique to line up all the stars in his starting XI.
After weeks of controversy over Kylian Mbappe s official announcement to leave PSG in the summer, the experienced Spanish coach agreed with the player over the French superstar s Ligue 1 playing time. There is no denying that all eyes will be on Mbappe, who is tipped to get his name on the scoresheet. The French superstar leads the Ligue 1 top scorer race with 24 goals and has a rematch against bitter opponents, failing to score earlier in the season at the Parc des Princes despite his side s emphatic 4-0 win.
The French champions will look for another win at the Velodrome, a success that would take PSG to their 50th win in 107 head-to-head meetings. Moreover, Luis Enrique s players start the game with a 20-point lead in the standings over their eternal rivals.
Team News
Luis Enrique faces many absences on the back line. Kimpebe has not played a game this season following the Achilles tendon rupture suffered in February 2023. Milan Skriniar s recovery from his ankle injury earlier this year is going well. The Slovak international is expected to return to the pitch in mid-April.
Marquinios is also unavailable due to an Achilles tendon pain. Marco Asensio will not make the trip to Marseille due to a muscle problem.
Key factors to consider
Marseille is in a downturn of form losing their last two competitive matches: 3-1 away to Villareal in the Europa League and 2-0 on the road against Rennes in Ligue 1.
OM is undefeated this season at Velodrome
PSG demolished Marseille at Parc des Prince in Ligue 1 s last encounter with an empathic 4-0 win
Mbappe form is off the charts this season. The Ligue 1 superstar is tipped to score a brace against bitter rivals Marseille
Conclusion
Le Classique is never an easy match to predict. However, considering the latest OM and PSG results, we are backing the current champions to edge narrowly their rivals. Also, Mbappe to have his name on the scoresheet is an alternative wager we recommend.
Verdict: PSG win
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