PSG looking to extend unbeaten league run at Marseille
PARIS (AP) - Paris Saint-Germain can extend its record unbeaten run in the French league, and extend Marseille's record winless run at home at the same time.
PSG set a record of 33 games unbeaten on Wednesday, eclipsing the mark set by Nantes 21 years ago.
Marseille, however, has not won at home in nine league games dating back Sept. 13.
Although Marseille has the third best away record in the league, it has the third worst at home.
"There's always a first time in life, and why not against PSG?" Marseille coach Michel said. "This is a huge challenge for us and we're looking forward to it."
Here are some things to know about this weekend's games:
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UNWANTED THAUVIN
Marseille winger Florian Thauvin will be suspended for Sunday's game against Paris Saint-Germain, which might not bother coach Michel so much.
When Thauvin returned to Marseille on loan from Newcastle this week, Michel revealed that he did not sanction the move.
"Thauvin is a good player but I didn't ask for him to come," Michel said. "He has good ability, but I didn't think he could come back, so I asked for a different player, a striker."
Just 10 minutes after coming off the bench in Tuesday's 1-0 win at Montpellier, Thauvin was sent off for a reckless two-footed lunge.
That won't have endeared him any more to Michel, who took charge of Marseille shortly after Thauvin left for Newcastle in mid-August.
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PARLEZ-VOUS ANGLAIS?
Scottish striker Steven Fletcher should feel right at home in Marseille after joining on loan from Premier League team Sunderland this week.
Several British players have played for the club over the years, as well as former Ireland striker Tony Cascarino.
England winger Chris Waddle became a fan favorite - they nicknamed him "Magic Waddle" - and played 150 games for the club from 1989-92. Like Waddle, Cascarino became a massive hit with the fans, scoring countless headers among his 61 league goals from 1994-96.
England midfielder Trevor Steven played alongside Waddle in his final season, while English defender Tyrone Mears joined on loan in the 2008-09 season.
Volatile English midfielder Joey Barton pleased the fans with his whole-hearted attitude three seasons ago.
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ONGOING CONTRACT TALKS
Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc and striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic have yet to sign new contracts with the club.
Both are out of contract at the end of this season and it threatens to become a thorny issue the longer it goes on.
Since replacing Carlo Ancelotti, Blanc has guided PSG to two straight league titles, including a domestic treble last season. In his 100 league games in charge, he has lost only six times.
Still, despite this impressive domestic record, Blanc has failed to take PSG beyond the quarterfinal stage in the Champions League, a fact which frustrates the club's Qatari owners.
Blanc said earlier this week that talks had not advanced on a new deal.
The 34-year-old Ibrahimovic became the club's all-time leading scorer this season. He has a close relationship with Blanc, and his own future seems inextricably linked to Blanc's situation.
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NO AWAY FANS
There will be no Paris Saint-Germain fans allowed for Sunday's match at Marseille.
More than six years after a day of rioting and widespread fighting between hundreds of rival fans around Marseille's seaport, tensions are still running high.
Earlier this week, the local police ordered that no PSG fans be allowed inside or close to Stade Velodrome.
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ROBIN FIRED
Struggling Troyes has fired coach Claude Robin.
The contrast between top and bottom of the French league could not be greater. While Paris Saint-Germain has racked up 21 wins and three draws so far this season, last-place Troyes has won only one game and has only 11 points.