French classique top of League Cup bill

Bitter French rivals Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille are set to do battle for the second time in less than a month on Wednesday when the pair meet at the Parc des Princes for a spot in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de la Ligue.

The two title challengers played out a pulsating 2-2 draw at Stade Velodrome during the first weekend of October and the stage is set for another heated 'classique' encounter, with Marseille defender Rod Fanni underlining the magnitude of the occasion.

"There will never be a friendly match between Marseille and PSG," said Fanni.

"There is something extra, it's different (from other fixtures). We know all the hype they make about matches between Paris and Marseille. In people's minds we represent them. When things go well, they tease their enemies. We know for them, it's important," Fanni told OM.net.

Three-time defending League Cup champions Marseille dropped to third in the table after strong winds forced the postponement of their match at home to Lyon, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic continued his seamless transition to life in Ligue 1 as his goal moved PSG three points clear at the summit.

Carlo Ancelotti has a strong squad to choose from with Nene (fractured cheekbone) and Thiago Motta (back) the only absentees, while Marseille counterpart Elie Baup will be without the services of leading scorer Andre-Pierre Gignac as well as defensive stalwart Souleymane Diawara, who suffered a minor setback on his return from a long injury lay-off last weekend.

Toulouse -- who climbed to second in the table following Saturday's 3-1 win against Brest -- travel to Lille, fresh off a welcome victory over northern neighbours Valenciennes, on Tuesday, while struggling Sochaux host Saint-Etienne.

Ligue 2 table-toppers Monaco welcome Troyes to the Mediterranean principality with Claudio Ranieri's men looking to banish the memories of Saturday's home defeat to promotion-chasing rivals Nantes.

Rennes, who recalled Yann M'Vila and Chris Mavinga to the first-team squad on Monday following an eight-day suspension for their behaviour with the France under-21 side, are also in action against second-tier Arles-Avignon.

Montpellier entertain Bordeaux, last year's runners-up Lyon go to Nice and Bastia are at home to Auxerre on Wednesday.

Fixtures (kick-off times GMT):
Tuesday:
Sochaux v Saint-Etienne (1700)
Monaco v Troyes (1900)
Rennes v Arles-Avignon (1900)
Lille v Toulouse (1950)

Wednesday:
Nice v Lyon (1600)
Montpellier v Bordeaux (1745)
Bastia v Auxerre (1900)
Paris SG v Marseille (1955)

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