Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Ligue 1 clash between Marseille and Lorient, including predictions, team news and possible line-ups.
Marseille will need to bounce back from their Europa League semi-final exit when they host Lorient at the Stade Vélodrome for Sunday’s Ligue 1 match.
The hosts have their work cut out to secure European qualification, while Lorient face relegation with a game to play.
Match Preview
© Reuters
Marseille’s dreams of winning their second European trophy ended on Thursday when they traveled to Bergamo.
After playing out a 1-1 draw at the Stade Vélodrome, Marseille traveled to Italy hoping to clinch their place in the Europa League final for the first time since 2017-18.
However, those aspirations were dashed by a frantic Atalanta side, with Ademola Lookman, Matteo Ruggeri And El Bilal Toure All on the scoresheet to condemn the Phocaeans to a heavy 3-0 defeat.
While Atalanta will face Bayer Leverkusen in the final, Jean-Louis GassetThe team will now focus on their final three league matches against Lorient, Reims and Le Havre as they look to secure their European qualification for next season.
Having collected 44 points from 31 matches, Marseille sit in ninth place and five points behind sixth-placed Lens, who they beat 2-1 in their last Ligue 1 outing to end a run of five games without victory in the elite.
Even though they have a game in hand against the three teams above them, the Phocaeans know they cannot afford to drop points in their last three matches, starting with the home game in Sunday against a Lorient team they have beaten in eight of their previous matches. nine one-on-one meetings.
© Reuters
Lorient are in a perilous position having lost each of their last six matches, including their recent 2-0 defeat to European hopefuls Lens.
Having won none of their last eight matches, the Merlus are languishing in 17th position with only 26 points and six points behind Le Havre, 15th.
With Le Havre enjoying a considerable advantage in terms of goal difference, Lorient’s best hope of survival is to close the gap to three points with Metz in the relegation play-off.
However, their four-year stay in the top flight will come to an end if they fail to match Metz’s result, with their relegation rivals set to travel to the Stade de la Meinau for a meeting with Strasbourg.
With 63 goals in 32 matches, Lorient currently have the worst defensive record in the top flight, and while their vulnerable defense will be an obvious concern ahead of Sunday’s game, they will also need to improve at the other end of the pitch after failed. score in one of their last three games.
The scale of Lorient’s task is demonstrated by the fact that they have failed to win any of their last 11 meetings with Marseille since scoring two late goals to claim a dramatic 5-3 victory at the Stade Velodrome in April 2015.
Marseille Ligue 1 form:
Marseille form (all competitions):
Lorient Ligue 1 form:
Team News
© Reuters
Marseille remains without a midfielder Valentin Rongier and forward Bilal Nadir due to knee injuries, while the defender Leonard Balerdi is expected to serve a one-match suspension for accumulating yellow cards.
Balerdi being unavailable for selection, Amir Murillo could have the chance to make the final three alongside Chancel Mbemba And Samuel Gigot.
Ulisses Garcia, Jean Onana And Pope Gueye were forced to miss both matches against Atalanta after being left out of Marseille’s Europa League squad by Gasset’s predecessor Gennaro Gattusobut the trio are expected to return to the matchday squad for Sunday’s Ligue 1 match.
As for visitors, they risk having to do without the services of Igor Silva, Ayman Kari, Bonke Innocent, Quentin Boisgard, Formosa Mendy And Bamba Dieng.
Boss of Lorient Régis Le Bris might be tempted to recall Isaac Toure operate in a back three with Montassar Talbi And Nathaniel Adjei.
Mohamed Bamba will continue to lead the line having scored seven goals in 14 matches since arriving from Austrian club Wolfsberger in January.
Possible starting eleven in Marseille:
Lopez; Murillo, Mbemba, Gigot; Clauss, Véretout, Gueye, Onana, Garcia; Harit, Ndiaye; Aubameyang
Possible starting lineup in Lorient:
Mvogo; Adjei, Talbi, Touré; Katseris, Abergel, Bakayoko, Mendy; Louza, Ponceau; Bamba
We say: Marseille 3-1 Lorient
Marseille would have been disappointed with Thursday’s performance in Bergamo, but we believe they will produce a positive response to showcase their attacking talent against a Lorient side who have the worst defensive record in the division.
For data analysis of most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.
