Marseille host Atalanta on match-day four of the UEFA Champions League, with both teams seeking some traction for their league phase campaign. The French side will be banking on a solid home record, while the visitors are looking out of sorts at the moment.
Marseille have had a mixed start to the league phase, with a win and a draw from their opening three matches. Roberto De Zerbi’s team fell 2-1 at Sporting CP in their previous fixture.
The French side will head into this clash off the back of a 1-0 victory at Auxerre in a Ligue 1 fixture last weekend. They are also unbeaten in all competitions at home this season, winning five of their last six matches in front of their fans.
Atalanta have a similar league phase record to Marseille, with one win from their opening three matches. They were held to a 0-0 home draw by Sparta Prague in their previous fixture.
That result is part of a poor run for Atalanta, who are winless in their last six matches in all competitions. Ivan Juric's team are also unbeaten in five of their last six away matches and were beaten 1-0 at Udinese in a Serie A fixture last weekend.
How the bookies view it: Upper hand for Marseille
Marseille have the upper hand among the bookies and are priced at Evens by BOYLE Sports to claim the win. A victory for Atalanta is valued at 23/10 while a draw is set at odds of 13/5.
Head to head: Atalanta on top
Both teams met in the semi-final of the 2023-24 UEFA Europa League, with Marseille going on to lift the trophy. The French side played out a 1-1 away draw in the first meeting before easing to a 3-0 home victory in the second leg.
Players to watch: Greenwood on fire
Mason Greenwood has been the standout player for Marseille this season, with eight goals in all competitions. He will be the one to watch for the French side (Mason Greenwood anytime goalscorer – valued at 5/4 by BOYLE Sports).
Atalanta can also hold their own going forward and will look to Nikola Krstovic in attack. The forward has two goals this season and will be keen to increase that tally (Nikola Krstovic anytime goalscorer – offered at 8/5).
Probable line-ups:
Marseille have injury problems at the moment, with Leonardo Balerdi, Neal Maupay, Amine Gouiri and Timothy Weah among a lengthy list of sidelined players. Greenwood was an unused substitute at Auxerre last weekend and should return to the team on Wednesday, while Benjamin Pavard is set to feature in defence.
Atalanta are without Marten de Roon, Giorgio Scalvini and Davide Maldini, who are all sidelined with injury. Ademola Lookman could earn a start after coming off the bench last weekend, while Isak Hien is set to continue at the back.
Marseille: Rulli, Pavars, Egan-Riley, Emerson, Murillo, Hojbjerg, O’Riley, Garcia, Vaz, Greenwood, Aubameyang.
Atalanta: Carnesecchi, Kossounou, Hien, Djimsiti, Zappacosta, Ederson, Pasalic, Zalewski, Sulemana, Lookman, Krstovic.
Anything else catch the eye?
Marseille have scored first in four of their last six home matches (Marseille to score first – available at 8/11 by BOYLE Sports). The French side have also scored over 1.5 goals (Marseille over 1.5 goals – set at odds of 3/4).
Four of Marseille’s last five home matches have produced over 3.5 goals – priced at odds of 6/4.
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