Luis Enrique has been carefully managing Ousmane Dembele’s minutes this season, but the Frenchman has typically been trusted to lead the line in the bigger games for PSG. Dembele played the full 90 in PSG’s last Champions League match against Newcastle, during which he racked up seven shots with two on target.

He was responsible for a missed penalty in that 1-1 draw, highlighting how he wasn’t exactly on top form, but the shot volume remained high, which is important. 

Across all competitions this season, Dembele is averaging 3.4 shots per 90, and this selection has landed in three of his last four starts, including three goals in that run. He managed three shots with two on target in his last meeting against Marseille, finding the back of the net in that one.

Dembele has a good record in the derby and has scored in his last two appearances against Marseille.

Despite cruising to a 3-0 win against Rennes in the Coupe de France last time out, Marseille still accumulated a total of 24 fouls, which translated to four bookings. They can be quite an aggressive side, and they are averaging 12.4 fouls per game across all competitions this season. 

PSG tend to dominate possession at the Parc-des-Princes, but this game promises to be closely contested. If Marseille look to establish a foothold in the game rather than sitting in a deep block, this game could get stretched at times, with space to exploit in midfield. 

Hojbjerg registered three fouls and was carded when these sides last met. He contested a total of nine duels, winning one of his three tackles. The 30-year-old is averaging 1.2 fouls per 90 across all competitions this season, and should have plenty of defensive work to get through on Sunday night.

De Zerbi seems to have the blueprint on how to cause the Parisians problems, and this is expected to be another competitive matchup. Thomas Leonard officiated the Super Cup fixture between these sides, and he was kept busy.

There were six cards handed out in total, with four going to Marseille. This selection also landed when these sides met at the Velodrome Stadium, with three cards shown to Marseille. 

Marseille have accrued the sixth-most yellow cards in Ligue 1 this season, highlighting their aggressive approach under De Zerbi. They look to press high in an attempt to win possession back high up the field, but that can sometimes leave them vulnerable in transition and forced into making cynical tackles. 

Being a derby fixture, tensions are naturally going to be raised, especially as both teams have plenty to play for at the top of the standings.

PSG have been a formidable force on home turf in the French top flight this season, and they still have their unbeaten record intact. However, they haven’t been as convincing in the tougher fixtures - in the Champions League, they were beaten by Bayern Munich, and drew against Newcastle. The Parisians also conceded three times against Spurs back in November. 

Marseille are yet to play at the Parc-des-Princes this season, but these sides have already met twice, including in the French Supercup final. That game finished 2-2 in regular time, before Les Phoceens were beaten on penalties. Roberto De Zerbi’s men were incredibly unlucky to leave that game empty-handed, as they were pegged back by a 95th-minute equaliser from Goncalo Ramos. 

Marseille carved out 17 shots and four big chances, forcing five saves from Lucas Chevalier, in addition to their two goals. When these sides met in the league in September, Marseille were more successful and were able to hold on to a 1-0 win.