Shakhtar ahead in the first leg?
The knockout phase of the Europa League starts at the worst possible time for Olympique Marseille. In the midst of their current form crisis, the first leg of the round of 32 is scheduled for this week. OM will visit Hamburg to face Shakhtar Donetsk. The Ukrainians play their home games on the international stage at the Volksparkstadion.
The bookmakers with a German license see the Ukrainian club as underdogs against the visitors from France despite their supposed home advantage. For a Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Marseille bet on the home side, the odds are currently above the 3.00 mark.
The last time the two clubs met in the knockout stages of the Europa League in 2009, Shakhtar beat Marseille 4-1 on aggregate after the first and second legs to advance to the semi-finals. OM now have the chance for revenge
Marseille have been winless for five competitive matches in a row. The “Phocéens” only managed a meagre draw against FC Metz in the dress rehearsal before the showdown against Shakhtar. It is quite possible that the Ukrainians will seize the moment and deal the stumbling OM another setback. Our Shakhtar Donetsk vs Marseille prediction is aimed at this
Shakhtar Donetsk – stats & current form
Shakhtar Donetsk failed to reach the group stage of the Champions League and will now continue their international adventure as CL losers one level lower in the Europa League. The “Hirnyky” will face Olympique Marseille in the round of 32. The first leg will be played at the Ukrainians’ “home ground”.
Hirnyky are playing their international home games at HSV’s stadium this season. In the top flight, Shakhtar only lost the home game against FC Porto (1:3) at the Volksparkstadion. On the other hand, the Ukrainians took maximum points against teams such as FC Barcelona (1:0) and Royal Antwerp (1:0).
If you take a look at the statistics from the group stage of the 2023/24 Champions League, it’s definitely worth placing a bet on the supposed underdogs from Ukraine in Shakhtar Donetsk vs. All the “Hirnyky” have to do is improve their defensive performance. After all, their failure in the top flight was due to a lack of stability at the back
Shakhtar ahead in the first leg?
The Ukrainian top flight has been suspended since December 2023. Since then, the “Hirnyky” have only gained some match practice in test matches. Shakhtar played four friendlies before the showdown against their upcoming opponents from Marseille. Head coach Marino Pusic’s team picked up one win, one draw and two defeats in these four friendly matches.
However, the results in these pre-season games should not be overestimated in view of the upcoming match. Shakhtar has a promising squad and has already upset teams such as FC Barcelona and FC Porto in the top flight of European soccer this season. There is therefore plenty of potential for a surprise against Marseille.
Head coach Marino Pusic will be without at least four players in the squad for the first leg due to injury. There are no other personnel worries for the Ukrainians at the moment
Predicted line-up for Shakhtar Donetsk:
Marseille – Statistics & current form
Olympique Marseille have qualified for the knockout phase of the 2023/24 Europa League as runners-up in Group B. The “Phocéens” successfully prevailed in a group with Brighton, Ajax and AEK and now also have a feasible opponent in the knockout phase. In six group games, OM had a record of 3-2-1, with only the match against Brighton being lost.
Compared to their strong performances on the international stage, Marseille have disappointed at national level. The “Phocéens” have already been eliminated from the Coupe de France 2024. In Ligue 1, OM are only in eighth place after 21 matchdays, which is mainly due to the recent crisis.
Marseille have not won any of their last five league games. Despite having home advantage, they recently only managed a meagre draw against FC Metz – currently second last in the table. In their current form, the match on the international stage is by no means convenient for the “Phocéens.”
OM battles away weakness
The French side’s weakness on the road also speaks against a Shakhtar Donetsk vs Marseille prediction. Marseille have won just two of their last eight competitive matches away from home. It is quite possible that this weakness away from home will also be noticeable in the upcoming match in Hamburg.
Nevertheless, if you want to make a prediction on the visitors for Shakhtar Donetsk vs Marseille, you can also use the Bet365 app. In addition to regular betting options on the 1X2 market, the bookmaker from Stoke-on-Trent not only convinces with a variety of alternative betting options. At Bet365, bets can now also be placed tax-free!
OM coach Gennaro Gattuso will be without at least three players in the squad for the upcoming match against Shakhtar.
Predicted Marseille line-up:
Shakhtar Donetsk – Marseille head-to-head comparison / H2H result
Shakhtar Donetsk and Olympique Marseille meet for the third time in total. In the two previous encounters, Shakhtar beat OM – both in the 2009 Europa League. The Ukrainians celebrated a 2-0 win in front of their home crowd and also prevailed 2-1 in the second leg in Marseille. Shakhtar thus progressed to the semi-finals of the 2009 EL.
Shakhtar Donetsk – Marseille betting tip
Shakhtar Donetsk go into the first leg against Olympique Marseille with a broad chest. In the Champions League, Shakhtar has already held its own against clubs such as FC Barcelona at the Volksparkstadion. It is therefore by no means far-fetched to bet on a win for the “Hirnyky” in the upcoming match between Shakhtar and Marseille.
The weak form curve of the upcoming opponent also speaks for this. Marseille have not won any of their last five competitive matches and recently even failed to beat the Ligue 1 runners-up. It is quite possible that the crisis will worsen on the international stage.
We are leaning towards a win for Shakhtar and see value in the high prices on the Ukrainians. For our Shakhtar Donetsk vs Marseille betting tip on the “Hirnyky” we use three units. Bet365 offers the best odds for this.
Alternatively, you can also place bets on a high-scoring encounter. In the context of the CL 2023/24, 22 goals were scored in six group matches of the “Hirnyky”
