MX23RW : Saturday, February 15 07:27:29| >> :600:87883:87883:
[monks data]
Marseille
Ligue 1 | Gameweek 18
Jan 19, 2025 at 7.45pm UK
Stade Velodrome
Strasbourg

Marseille
1 - 1
Strasbourg

Emegha (23'), Greenwood (68' pen.)
Lirola (71'), Brassier (90+5'), Vaz (90+3')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Emegha (26'), Doue (28'), Lemarechal (42')

Preview: Marseille vs. Strasbourg - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Ligue 1 clash between Marseille and Strasbourg, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Marseille will look to keep a firm grip on their place in the top three when they welcome Strasbourg to the Stade Velodrome in Ligue 1 on Sunday.

Form, especially at home, has improved dramatically in recent weeks for Roberto De Zerbi's second-placed side, as they have opened up a healthy gap to the sides below.


Match preview

Marseille's Mason Greenwood celebrates scoring on August 17, 2024© IconSport

An important 2-1 win away to Rennes last weekend maintained Marseille's spot in second, behind runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

With 16 points in their last six Ligue 1 matches, OM are now five points clear of Monaco one place below them, but second place is the only realistic ambition now, with PSG seven points clear at the top.

Overall though, it has been a disappointing week, because Marseille were dumped out of the Coupe de France on Tuesday, losing on penalties to Lille at the Velodrome, despite taking all the momentum into the shootout after Luis Henrique's 96th-minute leveller.

Across the season, form at home has been problematic, with just 12 of their 36 points coming at the Velodrome, with no team in Europe's top leagues having such a disparity in their home and away results.

However, they have taken seven points from their last three home league games, including a demolition of Le Havre last time out, and a vital win over Monaco, so they have come a long way from the dramatic scenes that saw De Zerbi threaten to resign less than two months ago.

Fixtures get tricky very quickly for De Zerbi, though, facing three in-form sides in their next three - Strasbourg first, before clashes with Nice and Lyon.

After a long spell of being dominant in this fixture, going 17 games unbeaten against Strasbourg before this season, Marseille were beaten 1-0 in Alsace back in September.

That extended Strasbourg's five-game unbeaten streak in this fixture, with the two previous campaigns serving up four draws between the two.

Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior on August 30, 2024© Imago

For manager Liam Rosenior though, he will have his eyes set on ending a long wait for a victory at the Velodrome, because Strasbourg are still yet to win here in the 21st century, failing on 13 previous occasions - Marseille have not faced a club more often on home soil and not lost in that time.

You have to go back to 1997 to find the last Strasbourg win here, but Rosenior will feel his side is in the perfect condition to spring a surprise, having won their last three league games in a row.

Strasbourg have not won four straight Ligue 1 games for six years, and another win would see them claim more wins in the last four than they managed in the first 14 games of the season.

After a run of five games without a win, if their two successes in the Coupe de France are taken into account, Strasbourg are on a five-game winning streak, catapulting them up the Ligue 1 table, and earning them a spot in the last 16 of the cup.

While relegation fears have now been forgotten and European qualification is in their sights, Rosenior will know his side must improve from midweek, when they needed penalties to get past fifth-tier Thaon to advance in the Coupe.

Marseille Ligue 1 form:


Marseille form (all competitions):


Strasbourg Ligue 1 form:


Strasbourg form (all competitions):



Team News

Marseille's Amine Harit pictured on May 9, 2024© Imago

Marseille will be without Faris Moumbagna yet again as he continues to recover from an ACL tear, while Elye Wahi, Amine Harit and Geoffrey Kondogbia are all doubtful.

With many attackers out, they will look to December's Ligue 1 Player of the Month for inspiration again, as Mason Greenwood continues his excellent form which has moved him to the top of the scoring charts.

Luis Henrique is set to join him in the attack, but while he did score the late equaliser that forced penalties against Lille in midweek, he ultimately missed one as Marseille were knocked out.

Strasbourg were able to welcome Yoni Gomis back after a foot injury in the week, but Thomas Delaine, Sekou Mara, Dion Sahi and Caleb Wiley all remain sidelined.

Goalkeeper Alaa Bellaarouch also made a long-awaited return from injury, but it is likely he has now dropped to third choice, after not featuring in the cup in midweek despite heavy rotation.

The Coupe presented an opportunity for the aptly-named 17-year-old Rayane Messi to have a potential breakout moment in midweek, as he netted twice for Strasbourg at Thaon, but any inclusion here would be a surprise.

Marseille possible starting lineup:
Rulli; Murillo, Balerdi, Cornelius; Luis Henrique, Hojbjerg, Rongier, Rabiot, Merlin; Greenwood, Rowe

Strasbourg possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Doue, Sarr, Doukoure, Diego Moreira; Bakwa, Diarra, Andrey Santos; Lemarechal, Emegha, Nanasi


SM words green background

We say: Marseille 3-1 Strasbourg

Home form has picked up after a dreadful start saw Marseille take just five points from their first five games at the Velodrome this season, and another success could be on the way.

Strasbourg are in excellent form, but the teams they have beaten recently have not been on Marseille's level, and their 28-year wait for a win here is set to go on.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




ID:563262:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect14134:
Written by
Andrew Delaney

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Marseille vs Strasbourg

Marseille
86.0%
Draw
8.8%
Strasbourg
5.3%
57
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Elye Wahi playing for France Under-21s in 2023
Read Next:
January transfer window: Latest news and rumours including Wahi to West Ham
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG21165058203853
2Marseille21134445252043
3Nice21107441261537
4MonacoMonaco2111463728937
5Lille2198434221235
6Lyon2196636261033
7Lens219662520533
8Brest22102103538-332
9StrasbourgStrasbourg218673532330
10Toulouse217682324-127
11Auxerre226793137-625
12Rennes2172122930-123
13Angers2165102231-923
14Reims215792633-722
15NantesNantes214982432-821
16Saint-EtienneSt Etienne2153131945-2618
17Le HavreLe Havre2152141740-2317
18Montpellier HSCMontpellier2143142048-2815


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!