By Betsefy
Paris Saint-Germain attacker Lionel Messi remains a major doubt for Sunday’s Ligue 1 showdown with Marseille in Le Classique.
The 35-year-old has missed PSG’s last two games with a calf injury, although he is pushing to be available for the encounter as the champions aim to end a run of three consecutive draws.
Sergio Ramos saw red against Reims last time out in Ligue 1 and will now serve the first of a two-game suspension, while Presnel Kimpembe remains out with his hamstring issue.
As a result, Nordi Mukiele should be given the nod on the right-hand side of the back three, with Danilo Pereira and Marquinhos also protecting Gianluigi Donnarumma.
With Nuno Mendes also nursing a muscular problem, Juan Bernat‘s spot on the left-hand side is safe, as Achraf Hakimi continues on the right.
Marco Verratti and Vitinha have cemented themselves as Christophe Galtier‘s first-choice midfield duo when fully fit, and the pair should keep out Carlos Soler, Fabian Ruiz and Renato Sanches, the latter of whom still has a groin injury anyway.
Should Messi miss out again, Pablo Sarabia will expect to support Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in the final third amid a wave of reports claiming that the latter has been left feeling ‘betrayed’ at the Parc des Princes and wants to leave.
PSG possible starting lineup: Donnarumma; Mukiele, Marquinhos, Pereira; Hakimi, Verratti, Vitinha, Bernat; Sarabia, Mbappe, Neymar
