Ligue 1: Lionel Messi Takes Centre Stage for Le Classique

Marseille vs Paris Saint-Germain

PSG are paying a visit to the Orange Velodrome as they’ll take on Marseille in what will be an explosive clash between two powerhouses in France.

The first Le Classique of the 2021/22 season will be unlike any other as it will be Lionel Messi’s first taste of one of the biggest derbies in Ligue 1.

opacity 0

CLICK HERE
TO SEE UPDATED ODDS

Serie A

All eyes are naturally going to be fixated on the Argentinian and his top quality teammates for this game. But as shown in recent weeks, Marseille should be a team to watch too given their free-scoring ways.

The Parisiens continue to lead the pack with 27 points while Les Olympiens are trailing by 10 points, although they are at the third spot in the standings.

Although the gap between these two rivals is substantial, the hosts are determined to prove doubters wrong by gunning for an upset victory here.

Talking Points

Marseille are not to be underestimated

Although they’ve underwhelmed in Europe so far, the same can’t be said about Marseille in their domestic campaign.

With decent Ligue 1 2021 results so far, Les Olympiens have an opportunity to move up to the second spot in the standings if they are to beat their visitors this weekend.

After losing 2-0 to defending champions Lille last October 3rd, Marseille got back on track with a 4-1 victory over Lorient as Boubacar Kamara, Matteo Guendouzi, and Arkadusz Milik poured in the goals.

Marseille have scored at least two goals in all five of their league home matches and they have only lost once in their last 13 home games at the Orange Velodrome, so their home advantage will be tested when the Parisiens come to town.

Other than the three aforementioned who scored against Lorient, Jorge Sampaoli have a couple more top quality players who should feature in the upcoming Le Classique.

Dimitri Payet and Cengiz Under are their two leading scorers with five and four goals respectively and they’ve shared four assists as well.

The young quartet of Bamba Dieng, Gerson, Konrad de la Fuente, and Amine Harit are all contending for spots in the starting XI and we expect them to cause headaches to PSG’s backline should they receive the green light to play.

Lionel Messi will lead the line for PSG

Lionel Messi is coming into his own at Parc des Princes and he will be under the spotlight for this upcoming Le Classique.

The six-time Ballon d’Or awardee came through during their midweek Champions League group stage match against RB Leipzig as he recorded a brace while Kylian Mbappe scored in that game as well.

Mauricio Pochettino is determined to claim a Ligue 1 victory for Paris Saint-Germain as they go against Marseille — Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino watches Ligue 1 match against Angers at Parc des Princes

Messi and Mbappe will have to carry PSG again since they are facing multiple lineup doubts ahead of this fixture.

Neymar is deemed questionable after suffering an apparent groin problem against Leipzig while Mauro Icardi is dealing with off-the-field problems involving his marital affairs.

Leandro Paredes remains out up until the next international break while Sergio Ramos has yet to make his debut for the club due to a calf injury.

History

PSG come in with high confidence knowing that they’ve been the better club against Marseille.

In their 40 Ligue 1 games since the turn of the millenium, the Parisiens have won 21 times while Les Olympiens won in 11 along with eight draws.

Playing at the Orange Velodrome didn’t make much of a difference in favour of Marseille either as they’ve conceded at least two goals in each of their last eight home fixtures vs. PSG in Ligue 1 (20 goals total).

The Parisiens have been solid on the road as they’ve lost only one of their last 13 away league games (W11, D1), although their only defeat in that stretch came recently when they lost 2-0 against Rennes 20 days ago.

Betting Tip

	Marseille vs Paris Saint-Germain	Paris Saint-Germain Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 2.05
	October 25, 02:45 (GMT+8)

The SBOTOP Ligue 1 2021 odds have the visitors installed as the huge favourites to grab the three points.

PSG are priced at 1.60, while Marseille are the underdogs at 4.60 and chances for a draw are at 4.20 in the 1×2 market.

While Marseille have struggled in Europe so far this term, Jorge Sampaoli’s men have demonstrated a clinical edge in Ligue 1 which should come in handy this weekend.

However, PSG can surely take advantage of the fact that the hosts only have two days of rest and their record against Marseille speaks for itself.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Mauricio Pochettino’s side should have no problems in grabbing maximum points from this fixture.