Marseille welcome Lyon to Stade
Velodrome in an intriguing Ligue 1 clash
on Sunday, while league leaders Paris
Saint-Germain meet Evian TG.
Didier Deschamps’ Marseille side are
unbeaten in 12 matches in all
competitions, and booked a place in the
Coupe de la Ligue final with a win over
Nice on Wednesday.
Coincidentally, they will face Lyon in that
final in April, but Sunday’s league clash
shapes as vital in the race for a
Champions League spot.
Loic Remy (nine goals) will be vital if
Marseille are to take Lyon’s fourth spot
with a win, while Bafetimbi Gomis (eight goals)
will play a similarly important role at the other
end.
Deschamps believes the clash will be a high-
quality affair.
“Lyon are a team like us, who are still involved in four competitions,” he said.
“I watched their (Coupe de la Ligue win over
Lorient). They have quality, talent and mental
strength. It’ll be a top-level contest on Sunday
night.”
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti’s PSG, three points
clear at the top, welcome Evian TG to Parc des
Princes.
Midfielder Thiago Motta, who they welcomed from Inter Milan during the January transfer
window, could be given his debut in a game PSG
will be expected to win and make it five victories
from as many competitive matches under
Ancelotti’s guidance.
Reigning champions Lille will face similar
expectations when they take on struggling
Sochaux, who are winless in their last nine
outings in all competitions.
Montpellier, second to PSG, welcome Brest to
Stade de la Mosson on Saturday as Ligue 1 top-
scorer Olivier Giroud looks to add to his 15
goals.
Strugglers Caen and Auxerre meet on Sunday
with the latter hoping to move out of the
relegation zone.
Bottom side Nice must break a four-match losing
run in all competitions if they are to move out of
the bottom three with a win at Ajaccio.
In other matches, Stade Rennes visit Nancy on
Saturday, while mid-table sides Saint-Etienne
and Lorient clash on the same day.
Dijon and Valenciennes, both in the bottom half
of the table, do battle on Saturday, while
Bordeaux welcome Toulouse to Stade Chaban-
Delmas.
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