PSG take on rivals Marseille in 'Le Clasico'

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PARIS, Feb 26, 2010 (AFP) - Eight-time French champions Marseille and under-performing giants Paris Saint-Germain meet on Sunday in what is the country's most bitter footballing rivalry.

Tensions run high between the two clubs and the game has become infamous for events off the pitch in recent years.

Authorities are so worried about violent clashes between supporters that Marseille have been granted just 1,500 tickets for the game.

Didier Deschamps's men go into the game after cruising through into the last 16 of the Europa League with a 6-2 aggregate victory over FC Copenhagen on Thursday.

The one-time European champions even rested 14-goal top scorer Mamadou Niang ahead of Sunday's crunch match.

"This is the derby of all derbies. You soon realise very quickly that for the fans it is more important to win this match then any of the others," said Marseille midfielder Benoit Cheyrou, whose side sit six points behind leaders Bordeaux in fifth place.

"We have to win to build on our previous performances. We must get a result there to go as far as possible."

But PSG captain Claude Makelele claimed his 12th-placed side would settle for a draw after going down 1-0 at the Stade Velodrome in November.

"The aim is not to lose. I don't think a victory will save our season. We have to take each game as it comes, we have time to catch up," said the former Chelsea star.

"At the moment, Marseille are above us in terms of their league position, their game and their ambitions. It's up to us to raise our level."

At the top of the table, Laurent Blanc's Bordeaux side return to domestic action away at lowly Le Mans after beating Olympiakos 1-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Girondins midfielder Ludovic Sane said his team-mates must produce another top performance on Sunday to earn a victory and maintain their lead over second-placed Montpellier.

"This meeting will not be easy as we know that the pitch is not always in the best condition. We have to quickly get into the game," he told Bordeaux's official website.

Lyon, another of the chasing pack in fourth place, are in a rich vein of form as they prepare to meet Nice at the Stade Gerland on Saturday.

Full-back Anthony Reveillere explained their recent triumph over Real Madrid in the Champions League has galvanised the dressing room after a rocky first half to their season.

"We have gained confidence and we expect to show this against Nice," the 30-year-old told reporters.

"Since January, we've been picking up points, which has kept us in the title race. We still believe in it."

In the weekend's other games, Rene Girard's Montpellier will aim to recover from last week's 1-0 loss to Saint-Etienne when they host Rennes on Saturday evening.

The Montpellier manager said that he wanted end the vistors' hopes of qualifying for European football next term.

"We know what this team is worth. It's a side that was aiming for the Champions League," Girard said.

"They are in the running to qualify for Europe but those ambitions would be completely over if we won. They know that too so we expect them to give us a tough game."

In the weekend's other games, 10th-placed Lorient meet fellow mid-table side Sochaux, while Guy Lacombe's Monaco host Boulogne but must do without South Korean star Park Chu-Young and Colombian forward Juan Pablo Pino.

Meanwhile, 16th-placed Saint-Etienne take on Valenciennes, while Auxerre travel north to meet Lille, who stormed into the last 16 of the Europa League after knocking out Turkish giants Fenerbahce on Thursday.

Fixtures

Saturday (1800GMT unless otherwise stated)

Lorient v Sochaux , Lyon v Nice, Monaco v Boulogne, Nancy v Grenoble, Toulouse v Lens, Valenciennes v Saint Etienne, Montpellier v Rennes (2000GMT)

Sunday (1600GMT unless otherwise stated)

Le Mans v Bordeaux, Lille v Auxerre, PSG v Marseille (2000GMT)