The action resumes after the international break in Ligue 1 this weekend as two heavyweights in France square off at the Orange Velodrome. Marseille, who are still harbouring hopes of a European place entertain league leaders Paris Saint Germain – who are on course to retain another league title.
Date: 31st March 2024
Kick-off Time: 19:45 pm
Location: Orange Velodrome
The meeting on Sunday pits the two most successful teams in France. The current champions Paris Saint Germain hold the record for the most league titles with 11 – two ahead of Marseille. The hosts however have the distinction of being the only team in France to win the UEFA Champions League. Paris Saint Germain have another opportunity this year to achieve their long-term goal but will have to overcome Barcelona in the quarter finals to progress.
Marseille are still competing on multiple fronts, whether that be league qualification or the UEFA Europa League, for which they are also in the quarter finals of. Marseille entertain Benfica in that round with a potential semi-final against competition favourites Liverpool on offer should they progress.
The hosts are currently sat in 7th place and based on current standings they won’t make the UEFA Conference League next season. This could possibly be changed based on the winner of the Coup de France for example. If Marseille were to somehow win the UEFA Europa League, they would automatically be added to the UEFA Champions League. As it stands though, league form is the more viable option for Marseille.
Seventh placed Marseille have 39 points from a possible 78 available. 39 points from 26 games played give them an average of 1.5 points per game and if they were to continue this metric, they would finish on roughly 51 points this season which would represent a disappointment.
OGC Nice and RC Lens are the two teams Marseille are chasing in the hunt for Europe. Nice are four points clear of Marseille and Lens are three points clear in sixth respectively. The home side does have a considerable goal difference over the two teams above but will be hoping both drop points this weekend as they face an uphill struggle against the runaway league leaders.
It is worth noting that Marseille are quite efficient in attack. From their 26 games played, they have scored 40 goals – which gives them an average of 1.5 goals scored per game. Defensively they have conceded 28 in 26, which gives a healthy average of 1.1 goals conceded per game. The issue for Marseille appears to be consistency when it comes to their form.
The overall form for Les Olympiens stands at ten wins, nine draws and seven losses – which on paper provides a mix array of form in comparison to the teams above them.
The current champions however in Paris Saint Germain, have been their ruthless selves throughout the majority of the season – despite the initial scare by OGC Nice and Stade Brestois 29. Les Parisiens, know that a defeat against Marseille will no impact their position whatsoever.
After 26 games played, the league leaders have a 12-point advantage over the surprise package Stade Brestois 29. Paris Saint Germain have 59 points from a possible 78 available – which gives them an average of 2.2 points per game. To no one’s surprise, they are the only team in France to record such numbers when it comes to points per game average.
The array of attacking options Paris Saint Germain are able to possess with their incredible resources has once again showcased itself in the league. The visitors for the game against Marseille, have scored 62 goals in 26 games – which gives them a 2.3 goals per game scored.
Whilst they undoubtedly boast the best attack in the league, they don’t boast the best defence though. Whilst conceding 23 goals in 26 games props them a healthy average of 0.8 goals per game conceded, second placed Stade Brest have conceded three less.
History favours Paris Saint Germain in this fixture. The two sides have met on no less than 106 occasions with PSG coming out on top in 49 of those games. Paris Saint Germain have won all five of their last five league games over Marseille. The hosts last beat Paris Saint Germain in the Coup de France in 2023.
Ligue 1 
