Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and their arch-rivals Olympique de Marseille are set to reignite their fierce rivalry on a neutral stage this Thursday. The two French football giants will clash for the prestigious Trophée des Champions, also known as the French Super Cup, in Kuwait. The match promises high stakes as PSG aims to continue their domestic dominance.
Team News and Build-up to the Clash
Under the guidance of manager Luis Enrique, Paris Saint-Germain have been in formidable form, having secured a historic sextuple in the past year. The club lifted trophies including Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Trophée des Champions, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. They now target a fourth consecutive victory in this specific competition, showcasing their sustained excellence.
Marseille, however, will be aiming to disrupt PSG's plans. Their squad faces some significant absences. Midfielders Arthur Vermeeren and Bilal Nadir are suspended following red cards against Nantes. Furthermore, key defender Nayef Aguerd is away representing Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations. On a positive note, the attacking duo of Amine Gouiri and Hamed Traoré have recently returned from injury, providing a boost to their frontline options.
Match Details and How to Watch
The 2026 French Super Cup final is scheduled for Thursday, January 8. For fans in India, the kick-off is set for a prime-time 11:30 PM IST. The encounter will be held at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait, with Thomas Leonard as the match referee and Bastien Dechepy on VAR duties.
Live streaming in India will be available through subscription-based platforms that broadcast Ligue 1 and French football events, such as Bet365. Fans in the United States can catch the action on beIN SPORTS and its affiliated streaming services.
Predictions and Expected Lineups
Artificial intelligence models have weighed in on the likely outcome. Grok predicts a 3-1 victory for PSG, citing their superior squad depth and attacking flair. ChatGPT also favours the Parisians but with a 2-0 scoreline, warning that Marseille's traditional intensity in 'Le Classique' could make the game competitive.
The historical head-to-head record leans heavily towards PSG, who have won 49 matches compared to Marseille's 35 victories, with 22 games ending in a draw.
Based on current squad availability, the predicted lineups are:
PSG expected lineup: Chevalier, Zaire-Emery, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes, Vitinha, Ruiz, Neves, Doue, Kvaratskhelia, Dembele.
Marseille expected lineup: Rulli, Murillo, Pavard, (Aguerd absent), Emerson, Kondogbia, Hojberg, Greenwood, (Vermeeren suspended), Paixao, Aubameyang.
This neutral-venue final offers Marseille a chance to claim silverware and bragging rights against their dominant rivals. However, PSG's recent trophy-laden run and formidable squad make them the clear favourites to lift the Trophée des Champions once again.
