Promising match at the Velodrome
It is worth not only focusing on the Champions League, because especially in the Europa League there are many exciting groups this season and thus also very interesting matches, which are perhaps even less predictable than the encounters in the top division. One such clash takes place on the French Mediterranean coast on Thursday, when Olympique Marseille await Lazio Rom.
From the looks of it, both teams could be contenders for the Europa League title, but for now it will be very difficult to even reach the next round. Galatasaray Istanbul are at the top of the table with seven points after three matchdays. Only behind them are Lazio with four points and OM with three. Even Lok Moscow is not yet out of the running with only one point.
The race for second place is currently very open. The games are getting fewer and fewer, so basically no one can afford to lose in this direct duel on Thursday. We also think that both teams are on a par and our first impulse is to predict a draw between Marseille and Lazio Roma.
The winner of this match, should there be one, will have a good chance of continuing in the Europa League. For the first time this season, however, there is also the backdoor option of finishing third in the Conference League. But that is hardly the aim of these two big clubs. Ahead of the match between Marseille and Lazio Roma, however, we would venture a guess that at most one of these two teams will make it through to the next round.
Marseille – Statistics & current form
Olympique Marseille are playing a good season so far. Jorge Sampaoli’s side have everything in their own hands in the Europa League, especially with a win on Thursday against Lazio, and have also got off to a good start in Ligue 1. OM are currently in third place with 22 points from twelve games. Top-ranked PSG are already extremely far away, of course.
Too many draws
One problem for the South of France is that they have to share the points too often. There have been three draws in the last five games alone. After all, OM are unbeaten in five games, but this statistic should probably be more of an indication to take a closer look at the odds on a draw in the clash between Marseille and Lazio Roma.
Last weekend, Olympique picked up a 1-0 away win at Clermont Foot. That doesn’t sound convincing at first, but Jorge Sampaoli spared numerous regular players. In view of several English weeks, the coach probably had to do so. In any case, it was Cengiz Ünder who scored the golden goal of the game as early as the 25th minute.
A significantly changed line-up is expected on Thursday. Duje Caleta-Car, Jordan Amavi, Amine Harit, Dimitri Payet or Arkadiusz Milik are all expected to be in the starting eleven. This means that OM will be much stronger than at the weekend. Jorge Sampaoli will only have to do without Valentin Rongier due to injury.
Predicted line-up of Marseille:
Lopez – Amavi, Balerdi, Caleta-Car, Lirola – Camara – Payet, Guendouzi, Harit, Ünder – Milik – Coach: Sampaoli
Last matches played by Marseille:
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
Europa League Grp. E
10/21 2021 – Lazio Roma 0 – 0 Marseille
Ligue 1
10/17 2021 – Marseille 4 – 1 Lorient
Lazio Roma – Statistics & current form
The Italians will be without fans in Marseille on Thursday, as the French Interior Ministry has banned the entry of Lazio supporters due to various incidents involving groups of fans from both teams. However, in the last few months they have often played in front of empty stands, so the Laziali will be able to cope with this circumstance.
More possible for Lazio
From a sporting point of view, things are going well for the Romans, but not outstanding. Maurizio Sarri’s side are in sixth place in Serie A, but top teams Napoli and Milan are already well clear of them. Nevertheless, the form with only one defeat from the last five games suggests that one would not have to predict a defeat for the visitors in the match between Marseille and Lazio Roma.
Last weekend, the Laziali had a tough away game at Atalanta Bergamo and they parted with a 2-2 draw. Pedro and Ciro Immobile even gave the Romans the lead twice, but the late goal in the fourth minute of injury time cost Lazio the victory in the end.
In terms of personnel, things are looking very good for the Italians. With Mattia Zaccagni, Maurizio Sarri only has to do without one important player. Unlike OM, there will probably be no major rotation because Lazio could not afford to play with their second suit in Bergamo.
Predicted line-up of Lazio Roma:
Reina – Marusic, Acerbi, Luiz Felipe, Hysaj – Cataldi, Luis Alberto, Milinkovic-Savic – Pedro, Felipe Anderson, Immobile – Coach: Sarri
Last matches played by Lazio Roma:
Serie A
10/30 2021 – Atalanta Bergamo 2 – 2 Lazio Roma
10/27 2021 – Lazio Roma 1 – 0 AC Florence
10/24 2021 – Verona 4 – 1 Lazio Roma
Europa League Grp. E
10/21 2021 – Lazio Roma 0 – 0 Marseille
Serie A
10/16 2021 – Lazio Roma 3 – 1 Inter Milan
Marseille – Lazio Roma Direct comparison / H2H record
Olympique Marseille and Lazio Roma have crossed paths seven times so far. The direct comparison is a relatively clear affair for the Italians, who lead 4:1 after victories. Two duels ended in a draw. The French side’s only victory came in the UI Cup semi-finals in 2006, when they won 3-0 at home.
OM have therefore waited 15 years for a win against Lazio. However, there have only been three meetings since then, two of which the Laziali have won. The last encounter took place a fortnight ago at the Olympic Stadium in Rome. The attacking lines were actually in favour of goals, but in the end the scoreboard showed a 0-0 draw.
Marseille – Lazio Roma Tip
The stakes are high as Galatasaray Istanbul are ahead in the standings and can take a decisive step towards the play-offs with a win against Lok Moscow. Therefore, OM and Lazio might only be fighting for second place in this group. In any case, the loser of this match will fall far behind.
The Italians, who have one point more on their account, could live a little better with a draw. The form of both teams is comparable. Olympique are unbeaten in five games, while Lazio have only suffered one defeat in that period.
We can imagine that both teams will neutralise each other at the Velodrome, just like in the first leg. We therefore do not necessarily expect many goals. We also think that once again no team will prevail. That’s why we are offering odds on a draw in the clash between Marseille and Lazio Roma.
