Ligue 1 Preview: Marseille v Paris Saint-Germain

Second meets third in Ligue 1 on Sunday when Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain lock horns in the Derby de France at the Stade Velodrome.

Champions PSG sit second on goal difference behind leaders Monaco, just one point clear of Elie Baup’s men, meaning both sides could go top with a win if Monaco drop points at home to Saint-Etienne on Saturday.

Laurent Blanc’s team are yet to taste defeat in all competitions this season, taking 18 points from eight league fixtures while also lifting the French Super Cup and winning their opening two UEFA Champions League fixtures.

And forward Edinson Cavani, who has struck four times in the league this season, believes their comprehensive 3-0 victory over Benfica on Wednesday has given PSG added belief ahead of the clash with Marseille.

“So far things are going well and we still have this fighting spirit,” he said.

“This result gives us great confidence for the future, especially for the trip to Marseille, who are a very good team.”

Cavani has formed an impressive strike partnership with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with the latter likely to continue as PSG captain on Sunday in the absence of the injured Thiago Silva.

Blanc said recently he is not fazed by dealing with the Swedish striker’s big personality, adding that it is actually a bonus within the squad.

“I think for a coach, to have a player with a strong character is good when this player is one of the best players in the world,” he explained.

“When you have very good players with a strong ego, you have to deal with it … because they are valuable on the pitch. Having this kind of players in a team is a good thing.”

Marseille have not beaten PSG in their last five meetings in all competitions and while they have enjoyed a similar record to PSG domestically, Baup’s side have struggled in Europe this campaign.

They are bottom of Champions League Group F after following up their 2-1 defeat to Arsenal with a 3-0 loss against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

However, Marseille’s only reverse in the league came in a 2-1 loss to pacesetters Monaco last month, and they have won two and drawn two of their league games since then.

Baup will have to cope without leading goalscorer Andre-Pierre Gignac against PSG though, with the striker absent due to a toe injury.