In a bid to continue their Ligue 1 title chase that is within reach, Olympique de Marseille will welcome AS Monaco to the Stade Velodrome on Sunday, where they will hope to pick up vital points.
With Marseille holding a firm spot in the top three and Monaco battling to find consistent form in their pursuit of European qualification, this match could play a significant role in shaping the top half of the table heading into the winter break.
Marseille vs Monaco preview
Aubameyang finds joy in Marseille after Super Eagles nightmare. (Photo Credit: Marseille/X)
Marseille head into this clash sitting third in the Ligue 1 table with 29 points, looking to tighten their grip on a Champions League spot and, at the same time, try to contend for the league title.
Roberto De Zerbi’s men have made the Stade Velodrome a fortress this season, remaining unbeaten at home and scoring 23 goals in front of their supporters. However, their league form has dipped slightly, with a recent loss to Lille and dropped points in two of their last three home outings.
Much of their attacking threat will come from Mason Greenwood, who currently tops the Ligue 1 scoring charts.
Monaco, meanwhile, is seventh with 23 points and in urgent need of a turnaround after losing four of their last five league games, a run that dealt a blow to their hopes of European qualification.
Despite grabbing a narrow 1-0 win over Galatasaray in midweek, their defensive struggles on the road remain a big issue. They have not kept a clean sheet away from home all season and have conceded in 11 straight domestic away matches.
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Marseille vs Monaco head-to-head
Recent clashes between Marseille and Monaco have often delivered goals, with both teams scoring in five of their last six Ligue 1 meetings, a clear sign of their forward-minded approaches. Â
While Monaco came out on top with a commanding 3-0 win in the most recent encounter, Marseille tends to have the upper hand at home in this fixture. The hosts have only lost once to Monaco in their last seven meetings at the Stade Vélodrome.
Marseille vs Monaco team news
George Ilenikhena with a super-sub performance for Monaco. (Photo Credit: Monaco/X)
Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi will have to navigate this key fixture without a few important players. Amine Gouiri, Ruben Blanco, Facundo Medina, and Hamed Traorè are all expected to remain sidelined due to injury.
On the bright side, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is fit and available for selection before heading off for AFCON duty.
Monaco will be missing defender Jordan Teze, who is serving a suspension for yellow card accumulation. They are also dealing with injury setbacks, as Eric Dier, Ansu Fati, and Christian Mawissa are unavailable.
However, they will be glad to welcome back Denis Zakaria and Thilo Kehrer, both of whom return after serving suspensions in the previous league match.
Marseille vs Monaco probable lineups
Marseille: Rulli; Pavard, Balerdi, Aguerd; Weah, Nadir, Vermeeren, Palmieri; Greenwood, Paixao; Aubameyang
Monaco: Hradecky; Vanderson, Kehrer, Salisu, Henrique; Camara, Zakaria; Akliouche, Minamino, Golovin; Balogun
Marseille vs Monaco prediction and betting tips
This fiery derby has a reputation for fireworks, and this weekend should be no different. Enjoy fantastic odds at Livescorebet, where you can stake on both teams to score at least one goal each.
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