Marseille must not lose
Marseille and Lokomotive Moscow face each other on the last matchday of the group stage in the Europa League. Marseille are currently in third place, which at least entitles them to relegation to the Conference League. However, that is also the highest of feelings.
Before the match between Marseille and Lokomotive Moscow, the odds show that the hosts are favourites. However, Marseille are playing a season where, while many elements look good, a few questions remain unanswered.
Only with a win can the visitors from Russia still finish third. Kick-off for this match at the Stade Velodrome is late on Thursday night, consequently at 9pm.
Marseille – Statistics & current form
Marseille are playing a rock solid season overall and are in the top flight at home in Ligue 1. However, they suffered a 2-1 defeat to the team of the moment in Ligue 1, Stade Brestois, at the weekend. Marseille now have the task of consolidating third place before the last matchday in the Europa League. That means staying in Europe for the winter, thanks to the Conference League.
Ahead of the match between Marseille and Lokomotive Moscow, the odds from the best bookmakers show that Marseille are favoured by bettors. Individually, the French definitely have advantages over the Russians on their own side and there are no personnel problems at the moment.
It is striking that Marseille have not yet won a match in the Europa League. Four games ended in a draw, which is the top score in this competition. Marseille even lost the last match at Galatasaray. The Sampaoli eleven lacks consistency to have a very good season, with two wins and two defeats in the last four competitive matches.
Marseille: Will the defence hold?
It’s not easy to make sense of Marseille. In the league, they last went five games in a row without conceding a goal, followed by two goals against Brest and four in Istanbul in between. The defence is very stable on good days and the system with great game control often works very well. When it doesn’t, there are big problems.
So there is no great consistency when it comes to OM. Not in defence, not even in offensive statistics. Only in terms of possession Marseille is almost always on a very high level. Since a winter in Europe also comes with income that can be earned in the Conference League, Sampaoli should field a team that is at least close to the top eleven.
After that, a lot depends on how both teams come into the game. If the visitors still want to spend the winter in Europe, they have to win. That could open up spaces. Therefore, before the match Marseille vs Lokomotive Moscow, our prediction is that more than 2.5 goals will fall.
Predicted Marseille line-up:
Pau Lopez – Lirola, Saliba, Caleta-Car, Amavi – Kamara, Guendouzi, Gerson, Payet, Luis Henrique – Milik
Last matches played by Marseille:
Ligue 1
12/04 2021 – Marseille 1 – 2 Brest
12/01 2021 – Nantes 0 – 1 Marseille
11/28 2021 – Marseille 1 – 0 Troyes
Europa League Grp. E
11/25 2021 – Galatasaray 4 – 2 Marseille
Ligue 1
11/07 2021 – Marseille 0 – 0 Metz
Lokomotive Moscow – Statistics & current form
There are definitely similarities between the hosts from Marseille and the guests from Lokomotive Moscow. Both still have a chance of finishing third and both have yet to win a game in this competition. Lokomotive Moscow must change that in order to at least continue to play a role in the Conference League.
The problems in Europe are obvious, in five group games the team of German coach Markus Gisdol has scored only two goals. That is too few, especially since Moscow was unable to keep a “zero” in defence in any of the games.
Incidentally, that is also the problem in the league. Lokomotive Moscow shows some good offensive approaches, but has only scored three times. In addition, they have lost their last three games in the Premier League. Whether this correlates with the turmoil surrounding Rangnick’s departure for Manchester United remains to be seen, but in any case the form does not speak in favour of the visitors.
The form clearly speaks against the guests
Lokomotive Moscow lost the dress rehearsal for this match with 0:1 against FC Ural at the weekend, in the league the team is only sixth in the table, which is not the claim. If Gisdol and his team also lose in Marseille, the coach will come under further criticism. The away record is not encouraging either, the Russians have only won two of eleven games away from home this season.
Not much tactics are to be expected. The visitors have to play forward and could be punished for it by a team that is better individually. Therefore, before the match Marseille vs Lokomotive Moscow, our tip is that more than 2.5 goals will be scored.
Predicted line-up of Lokomotive Moscow:
Savin – Nenakhov, Jedvaj, Pablo, Rybus – Maradishvilli, Beka Beka, Rybchinskyi, Kamano, Kerk – Smolov
Last matches played by Lokomotive Moscow:
Premier League
12/04 2021 – Lokomotive Moscow 0 – 1 Ural Ekaterinburg
11/29 2021 – Arsenal Tula 3 – 1 Lokomotive Moscow
Europa League Grp. E
11/25 2021 – Lokomotive Moscow 0 – 3 Lazio Roma
Premier League
11/20 2021 – Lokomotive Moscow 1 – 2 FK Akhmat
11/07 2021 – Spartak Moscow 1 – 1 Lokomotive Moscow
Marseille – Lokomotive Moscow Direct comparison / H2H record
Both teams met in the first leg for the first time in their European Cup history. The match ended 1-1, which is why there is no advantage for one team in the direct comparison
Marseille – Lokomotive Moscow Tip
Marseille is playing a good season overall, but has not yet presented itself very well internationally. For Lokomotive Moscow, the second part of this statement also applies, but the season as a whole can rather be described as average. What both have in common is that they sometimes have problems defensively, the Russians more consistently.
Marseille need one point for third place, the visitors have to take risks. Many goals are therefore quite possible, so before the match Marseille vs Lokomotive Moscow our prediction at exciting odds is that more than 2.5 goals will be scored.
