Marseille and Brighton & Hove Albion are set to face off in a thrilling Europa League encounter at the Stade Velodrome in France.
Both teams are looking to secure their first victory in Group B after drawing their opening matches.
Match Preview
In their previous Europa League fixture against Ajax, Marseille put up an impressive fight with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring a crucial brace to salvage a 3-3 draw.
However, Les Olympiens have struggled in recent weeks, suffering back-to-back defeats in Ligue 1 under the newly appointed manager Gennaro Gattuso.
They currently sit 12th in the domestic league but remain hopeful of turning their fortunes around.
On the other hand, Brighton had a strong start to the season in the Premier League before their European campaign began.
However, they suffered a disappointing 3-2 home defeat against AEK Athens in their first-ever European match.
The Seagulls have also faced setbacks in their domestic fixtures, including a heavy 6-1 loss to Aston Villa.
This match against Marseille presents an opportunity for them to bounce back and avoid a second consecutive European defeat.
Historically, Marseille has struggled to progress past the group stage in European competitions, while Brighton has faced challenges against English opponents.
Despite this, the recent dip in Brighton’s form allows Marseille to approach the game with a glimmer of hope.
Team news
Marseille will be without midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia due to a groin injury. However, they have the return of Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr from injury.
Brighton, on the other hand, have several players doubtful due to muscle injuries, including Pascal Gross, James Milner, and Adam Lallana.
Both teams are expected to field strong lineups, with Aubameyang leading the attack for Marseille and exciting talents Joao Pedro and Ansu Fati featuring for Brighton.
The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to secure their first victory in the Europa League group stage.
Predicted Starting Lineups:
Marseille:
Lopez;
Clauss, Mbemba, Gigot, Murillo;
Ounahi, Rongier, Veretout;
Ndiaye, Aubameyang, Correa
Brighton & Hove Albion:
Steele;
Lamptey, Igor, Dunk, Estupinan;
Gilmour, Dahoud;
March, Fati, Mitoma;
Pedro
Prediction:
Both Marseille and Brighton have displayed attacking prowess but have shown vulnerabilities in defense.
Expect an intense, end-to-end contest with goals at both ends. We predict a thrilling 2-2 draw, as both teams settle for a share of the spoils.