Will l’OM prevail at the Turkish record champions?
Olympique Marseille have yet to concede a defeat in the Europa League. Nevertheless, the “Phocéens” are anxious about entering the knockout phase of the Europa League, after all, l’OM is in third place in Group E after four matchdays with just four points. In Istanbul on the penultimate matchday, the South French are therefore under pressure to win.
In a worst-case scenario, a defeat would mean that Olympique Marseille would no longer have a mathematical chance of securing the two starting places for the knockout phase of the Europa League. For the hosts from Turkey, on the other hand, even a minimal point on the penultimate matchday would be enough to punch their ticket to the knockout phase on their own merits.
In the first leg, the two clubs shared points. Marseille were clearly superior in terms of play, but l’OM’s offensive failed several times against the strong defensive bulwark of the Turkish record champions. This time, however, we do not rule out a coup for Marseille.
Galatasaray recently suffered a tough and exhausting derby defeat against arch-rivals FB. In the process, “Emperor” Fatih Terim, among others, blew a fuse. After all, the GS head coach was sent off after the final whistle.
The “Choc des Olympiques” between Marseille and Lyon was just as explosive. The match between the two top clubs from France was even abandoned after rioting.
Galatasaray – Statistics & current form
Galatasaray are out for damage limitation against Olympique Marseille. After the derby defeat in the Turkish top flight, a point against the French group rivals in the Europa League would be a small consolation. At least the Turkish record champions would qualify early for the knockout phase of the second most important European cup for club teams.
So far, the Turkish record champions have remained unbeaten in all four group matches on the international stage. Before the draw against Lokomotive Moscow, the Lions’ defensive bulwark had not conceded a goal three times in a row. Among others, there was also a goalless draw in Marseille.
This was the eighth time that Galatasaray remained unbeaten against a French club on the international stage. The Istanbul Lions currently have a record of 4-4-6 against clubs from France in European Cups, with four of their six defeats coming against the star-studded Parisian outfit.
Will Galatasaray use home advantage at Nef Stadium?
Nonetheless, Galatasaray go into the penultimate matchday of the current EL group stage confident. After all, the Turkish record champion benefits from home advantage at the Nef Stadium against l’OM. At home, the Lions have not lost any of their four home games on the international stage. The last time they lost was against PSV Eindhoven in the CL qualifiers.
Since then, Galatasaray have won two and drawn two in the European Cup, including the qualifiers. Among other things, “Emperor” Fatih Terim’s team already beat Lazio Roma in the current group phase of the 2021/22 Europa League. If Galatasaray vs. Marseille now win on the international stage, odds of 2.80 are paid out for tip 1.
Against the guests from Marseille, GS head coach Terim will have to do without Boey and Turan due to injury during the week. There are no other absentees at the top club from Istanbul at the moment. Compared to the starting eleven that played in the recent derby against Fenerbahce, changes cannot be ruled out. After all, Fatih Terim is not affected by the TFF’s foreigner regulations in the European Cup.
Predicted line-up of Galatasaray:
Muslera – Yedlin, Nelsson, Marcao, Van Aanholt – Kutlu – Feghouli, Cicaldau, Morutan, Aktürkoglu – Mohamed
Last matches played by Galatasaray:
Süper Lig
11/21 2021 – Galatasaray 1 – 2 Fenerbahçe
Friendly club matches
11/13 2021 – Galatasaray 5 – 2 Bursaspor
Süper Lig
11/07 2021 – Fatih Karagümrük 1 – 1 Galatasaray
Europa League Grp. E
11/04 2021 – Galatasaray 1 – 1 Lokomotive Moscow
Süper Lig
10/31 2021 – Galatasaray 2 – 0 Gaziantep FK
Marseille – Statistics & current form
For the second time this season, a match involving Olympique Marseille was abandoned in Ligue 1. As against Nice, l’OM midfielder Dimitri Payet was again in the thick of it and once again became a target for the opposing supporters. After a bottle was thrown at Payet, the match was finally abandoned by the referee.
It is not yet clear whether the “Choc des Olympiques” will be made up for, especially as there have already been several fan riots in France this season. In the event of a replay, the two clubs will probably have to play in front of a ghostly backdrop.
For the time being, Olympique Marseille’s focus is therefore back on international competition, where a “do or die” game is in store for the “Phocéens” in Istanbul. So far, l’OM remained unbeaten in four group matches of the current Europa League.
Only one draw in the European Cup again?
Because Marseille have drawn four times in four group matches, the southern French side are currently still fearing for their entry into the knockout phase of the Europa League. At least third place seems to be secured. In a worst-case scenario, there are therefore realistic chances of continuing the international adventure in the knockout phase of the Conference League.
Olympique Marseille have only lost three out of eleven matches against Turkish clubs on the international stage so far. Accordingly, the “Phocéens” will approach the away match in Istanbul with a broad chest. Marseille are currently unbeaten in seven matches in a row.
The last defeat for l’OM was in the first week of October, since when head coach Jorge Sampaoli’s team has been brimming with confidence. During this period, they also picked up a point against Paris Saint-Germain. If the series continues with a win in Istanbul, attractive odds await Galatasaray vs Marseille for a prediction on the visitors from the south of France.
Predicted Marseille line-up:
Lopez – Lirola, Saliba, Caleta-Car, Peres – Kamara – Ünder, Guendouzi, Gerson, De la Fuente – Milik
Last matches played by Marseille:
Ligue 1
11/07 2021 – Marseille 0 – 0 Metz
Europa League Grp. E
11/04 2021 – Marseille 2 – 2 Lazio Roma
Ligue 1
10/31 2021 – Clermont Foot 0 – 1 Marseille
10/27 2021 – Nice 1 – 1 Marseille
10/24 2021 – Marseille 0 – 0 Paris Saint-Germain
Galatasaray – Marseille Direct comparison / H2H record
The two clubs met in the first leg for the first time in their long club history. Although Olympique Marseille were clearly superior in terms of play – especially in the second half – there was only one point at the Stade Velodrome after a goalless draw against the Turkish record champions.
Galatasaray – Marseille Tip
Internationally, Galatasaray have made a splash so far this season and deservedly sit top of Group E after four matchdays. The knockout stage of the Europa League is within reach for the Lions. Even the minimal gain of a point on the penultimate matchday would be enough to advance to the next round on their own merits.
It would therefore not be at all surprising if Galatasaray parked the bus in front of their own goal against the guests from Marseille. So far, the strong defensive bulwark of the Turkish record champion has been a success factor in the European Cup anyway. Before the recent draw against Lokomotive Moscow, Galatasaray had not conceded a single goal in the Europa League group stage.
Tendentially, we therefore think a low-scoring encounter on the penultimate matchday is likely. In the first half of the season, the two clubs already parted with a goalless draw. We place our Galatasaray vs Marseille bet at good odds on under 2.5 goals in the match with a stake of five units.
