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Kick off: Sunday, 29 November 2015 @20:00 GMT
Venue: Stade Velodrome (Marseille)
Head to head record
Marseille vs Monaco 2-1 (2014/2015 Ligue 1)
Monaco vs Marseille 1-0 (2014/2015 Ligue 1)
Monaco vs Marseille 2-0 (2013/2014 Ligue 1)
Marseille vs Monaco 1-2 (2013/2014 Ligue 1)
Monaco vs Marseille 1-4 (2011 Club friendly)
Marseille vs Monaco prediction
Having finally recovered from the disappointing start, Marseille have started climbing the Ligue 1 standings and they will be looking to further close the gap behind European positions by defeating top 3 rivals Monaco. The Principality club have experienced plenty of problems of late, and they, too, will have something to prove at Stade Velodrome.
No back-up for Batshuayi, no problem
Marseille club management found themselves in hot water last summer as a number of key men left the club, and they did not exactly sign proper replacements. This is especially true for the attacking department, given that Michy Batshuayi is now the only serious option up front, and coach Michel can only pray nothing happens to the Belgian before he can address the issue in the January window. The 22-year-old has coped really well with the pressure in the opening exchanges, bagging 11 goals in 16 appearances, but it was the arrival of free agent Lassana Diarra that changed everything at Stade Velodrome. The 30-year-old was able to rediscover his top form almost instantly despite having gone 15 months without playing a competitive match, and his strong performances in midfield also helped coach Michel patch up the leaky defence. With the team now much more confident in possession, the back line’s job has been made a whole lot easier, with the record of just two conceded goals in last five matches quite impressive. Even if they now head into the derby game in much better mood than the opposition, Marseille are aware they cannot afford to attack Monaco from the off, so everything suggests we will witness another low-scoring affair, with mere eight goals scored in OM’s last eight fixtures.
Abou Diaby has resumed training with the group, but is not yet fit enough to make the match squad, with Paolo De Ceglie the only other absentee.
Europa League progress in danger
Monaco chiefs were well aware that the club could be in for several difficult years when they seriously trimmed the wage budget and cashed in on most key men, while recruiting some of world’s hottest talent at reasonable prices. But, the team led by Leonardo Jardim have already shown a great deal of potential, even though they will not peak for another two or three years. Their back line has not been as impressive as last season, but there has been some improvement in this department as well, although it is evident that some of the summer recruits have yet to properly gel into the squad. The busy schedule is also proving to be a problem, with Monaco also competing in a difficult Europa League group, where they suffered a very unfortunate defeat to Anderlecht in midweek. The Principality club completely outclassed the Belgian giants, but eventually had to settle for a 2-0 loss, as their wastefullness in front of the opposition goal proved costly. Monaco obviously cannot expect to create that many chances when facing rock-solid Marseille, meaning that their front line will have to show massive improvement if they want to get something from the game.
Jeremy Toulalan has been added to the infirmary after suffering a muscle problem in midweek, while Thomas Lemar, Ivan Cavaleiro, Nabil Dirar, Fares Bahlouli and Adama Traore continue to miss out.
Marseille vs Monaco betting tip
There were under 2.5 goals scored in nine of Monaco’s last ten matches and with Marseille also involved in quite a few low-scoring games of late, chances should be few and far between when the two evenly matched sides square off at Stade Velodrome, so we fully expect the trend to continue.
Watch Marseille vs Monaco Live Stream
Tip: Under 2.5 goals
Odds: 1.75 (3/4) @bet365
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