Marseille vs Lille: Preview and Prediction
Marseille could move to the top of the Ligue 1 standings this weekend. They will need to pick up a victory against Lille to enhance their chances. However, the former champions look to be in decent form after winning two of their previous fixtures.
Marseille have enjoyed a fine start to the new season this term, as they have picked up five victories from their opening six fixtures. Their strong start took a knock in midweek as they were beaten by Tottenham Hotspur, but they will be looking to get back on track in Ligue 1.
Marseille is the form side coming into this round of fixtures, as they have picked up four straight wins in the French top-flight. They also boast the best defensive record, as they have allowed just three goals at this stage.
However, they are the lowest scorers of the teams in the top four positions in Ligue 1. A fourth straight league win in a row was recorded on the road last weekend, as they beat Auxerre 2-0. Gerson opened the scoring after seven minutes before Alexis Sanchez doubled the lead with just six minutes remaining of the 90.
Lille is the visitors this weekend, as they look to record a second straight victory in the French top flight. They have started the season relatively well, having won three of their opening six fixtures. A victory this weekend could lift them up to fourth in the overall standings in the French top-flight.
Lille bounced back from a recent defeat, as they landed a 3-1 success on the road against Montpellier. Jonathan David was in excellent form in that fixture, as he scored twice. His second goal came with virtually the last kick. Angel Gomes also scored in the victory.
What have they done so far?
Lille have recently dominated this fixture against Marseille
Marseille registered a disappointing 2-0 away loss in a UEFA Champions League match against Tottenham Hotspur that went down on Wednesday. From October through December 2020, Marseille hasn’t won five straight Ligue 1 games. Marseille’s performance has not been greatly affected by the factor of playing at home or away in their last 10 clashes.
These resulted in 6 home victories and 3 away triumphs. Draws were the result of 1 of the previous 10 meetings they took part in. Two of the last five battles on the pitch produced over 2.5 goals and one witnessed goals at both ends. In the course of that period, Marseille did not concede on three occasions. At the same time, they failed to score a goal in just one. From a statistical point of view, their last 5 outings produced an average of 2.20 goals.
Lille’s last match was against Montpellier on Sunday and it finished in a healthy 1:3 win away from home. Apparently, playing at home was of no help across the ten previous Lille games, with the visitors ending up victorious in six of those. The squad was held to a draw in only two of their previous 10 meetings.
Looking at the outfit’s previous five encounters, it becomes apparent that four featured over 2.5 goals and all witnessed goals at both ends. Throughout these, Lille’s efforts to prevent a goal in their net proved futile and scored a minimum of one goal in the process. Over the course of the team’s previous five outings, the players netted 4.2 goals on average.
Team News
Marseille attacking duo Cedric Bakambu and Bamba Dieng will be back in their club’s league squad following collapsed deadline day transfers, while Sanchez is also expected to return following his suspension in the Champions League against Spurs. Meanwhile, Dimitri Payet is also expected to be back again after a calf issue.
Former West Ham United attacker Payet has struggled to force his way into Tudor’s plans when fit, whilst centre-back Samuel Gigot is also back from a thigh problem.
Cengiz Under and Jordan Veretout may be dropped from the starting lineup in Lille as Payet and Guendouzi aim to return to the first XI, while Sanchez’s return should see Luis Suarez back on the bench.
Meanwhile, there are no injury concerns for Lille and they are expected to have their full squad at disposal for this massive clash against Marseille.
Head to Head Record
Marseille have won 44 of these fixtures whilst Lille have won 34
Marseille has a good record against Lille and has won 44 of the 108 matches played between the two teams in all French competitions since 1945. Lille has managed 34 wins against Les Olympiens and will look to reduce the deficit on Sunday.
When Marseille and Lille last went head-to-head at the Stade Velodrome back in January, the away team left with a point. Lille’s Sven Botman opened the scoring, but Benjamin Andre was sent off for the visitors before the break. Cengiz Under rescued a point for the hosts late in the day.
Lille did take the reverse fixture at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in October 2021, Jonathan David bagging a brace in a 2-0 home victory. Lille is unbeaten in four against Marseille, winning two with two draws.
Predicted Starting XIs
Marseille (3-4-2-1): Pau López; Chancel Mbemba, Eric Bailly, Samuel Gigot; Jonathan Clauss, Valentin Rongier, Dimitri Payet, Nuno Tavares; Matteo Guendouzi, Gerson; Alexis Sánchez
Lille (4-2-3-1): Léo Jardim; Bafodé Diakité, José Fonte, Tiago Djaló, Ismaily; Benjamin André, Angel Gomes; Edon Zhegrova, Rémy Cabella, Jonathan Bamba; Jonathan David
Prediction
Despite Igor Tudor’s appointment being greeted with derision and scepticism by the Marseille public and the former Hellas Verona boss being booed ahead of his first game, Olympique de Marseille has been extremely impressive in their opening six matches. The southerners have enjoyed five victories and one draw in their opening set of games.
They now face a Lille side that comes into this on the back of a much-needed 3-1 win at Montpellier to continue their inconsistent start to the season. That inconsistency means a double chance bet in favour of the home team looks the way to go for this one.