With just one day to go before the Trophée des Champions between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille, the probable lineups are becoming clearer — and largely confirm the trends anticipated earlier this week. One notable development: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is expected to start on the left wing ahead of Bradley Barcola.
The match will take place Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM (CET) at the Jaber Al-Ahmad Stadium in Kuwait, where only around 5,000 seats remain available out of 60,000, according to RMC Sport.
PSG: Kvaratskhelia Favored on the Left
Luis Enrique will once again be without Achraf Hakimi and Ibrahim Mbaye, both still at the Africa Cup of Nations, as well as injured players Matvey Safonov, Lee Kang-in, Quentin Ndjantou, and David Boly.
There is little doubt in defense and midfield. Marquinhos is expected to return to the starting XI, replacing Ilya Zabarnyi compared to the recent derby against Paris FC.
The main question concerns the third attacking spot alongside Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola, and Senny Mayulu have all been considered, but the Georgian winger now appears to be the favorite.
Kvaratskhelia was rested against Fontenay before the winter break and remained on the bench against Paris FC after taking a knock in training. Fully fit and well prepared, he is expected to start in a match that carries a trophy at stake — a view also shared by L’Équipe.
Probable PSG lineup vs OM
Chevalier – Zaïre-Emery, Marquinhos (c), Pacho, Mendes –
Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz –
Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia
OM: Balerdi Available, Key Choices Still Open
Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi will be without Nayef Aguerd (AFCON) and suspended midfielders Arthur Vermeeren and Bilal Nadir, both of whom traveled to Kuwait but are unavailable.
Good news for OM: Leonardo Balerdi, who missed the defeat against Nantes due to illness, trained normally on Tuesday and is expected to start. According to L’Équipe, the Argentine defender should indeed take his place.
Marseille are likely to line up with a back three, with Benjamin Pavard and Facundo Medina alongside Balerdi. Two positions remain uncertain:
- In midfield: Geoffrey Kondogbia or Matt O’Riley
- In attack: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Amine Gouiri, recently back from injury
Probable OM lineup vs PSG
Rulli – Pavard, Balerdi (c), Medina –
Weah, Højbjerg, Kondogbia (or O’Riley), Emerson –
Greenwood, Aubameyang (or Gouiri), Paixão
Everything is now set for another high-stakes Classique, with silverware on the line and both sides expected to field their strongest possible teams given the circumstances.