Marseille host Brest in a French Ligue 1 fixture on Sunday, with the visitors looking to make a late push for the European places. The hosts are hoping to strengthen their position in the race for the UEFA Champions League and given their home form, should come out on top.
After a few wobbles in March, Marseille appear to have found their form lately, winning two of their last three matches. They eased to a 5-1 home victory over Montpellier last time out, a result that keeps them second in the table.
That victory over Montpellier is also part of a solid home form for Marseille, who have won five of their last six Ligue 1 matches at the Orange Velodrome. The one blemish is their defensive record, with Roberto De Zerbi's men failing to keep a clean sheet in 12 of their last 13 matches in the league.
It has been a difficult campaign for Brest, who struggled to replicate last season’s showings. Eric Roy's men are currently ninth in the table but still have an outside chance of making the European places, sitting seven points off the top six.
Brest were beaten 3-1 at home by Lens in their previous Ligue 1 fixture, a result that means they are now winless in nine of their last 12 matches in all competitions. They have also found things difficult on their travels failing to win in four of their last five matches in all competitions.
How the bookies view it: Easy ride for Marseille
Marseille have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 1/2 by BoyleSports to claim the win. A victory for Brest is valued at 4/1 by BoyleSports, who are also offering odds of 10/3 for a draw.
Head to head: Upper hand for Marseille
Marseille have a 9-4 advantage, with three draws from 16 previous matches against Brest. The hosts also claimed a 5-1 away victory in the reverse fixture, with Mason Greenwood netting a brace.
Players to watch: Eyes on Greenwood
Mason Greenwood netted a brace against Montpellier to take his tally to 18 Ligue 1 goals for the season. The forward was also on target in the reverse fixture and is priced at 21/20 with BoyleSports to find the net once again.
With top scorer Ludovic Ajorque sidelined with injury, Abdallah Sima could be the one to watch on Sunday. The forward has six Ligue 1 goals this season, including two in the last three and is priced 3/1 by BoyleSports to score anytime on Sunday.
Probable line-ups
Leonardo Balerdi is the only injury absentee for Marseille, who have an otherwise fully fit squad to choose from. Jonathan Rowe scored after coming off the bench last time out and could be handed a start in attack alongside Greenwood.
Ajorque is ruled out of Sunday's clash due to injury while Abdoulaye Ndiaye and goalkeeper Marco Bizot are suspended. Sima is expected to lead the line while Julien Le Cardinal should replace Ndiaye at the heart of the defence, with Gregoire Coudert set to start in goal.
Marseille: Rulli, Garcia, Kondogbia, Murillo, Merlin, Rongier, Hojbjerg, Luis Henrique, Greenwood, Rabiot, Rowe
Brest: Coudert, Haidara, Le Cardinal, Chardonnet, Fernandes, Magnetti, Lees-Melou, Camara, Sima, Periera-Lage, Doumbia
Anything else catch the eye?
Four of Marseille’s last five matches have produced over 3.5 goals while Brest have seen a similar outcome in their last four fixtures. A repeat can be considered at 11/8 with BoyleSports.
Marseille have scored in both halves in three of their last five home matches and a similar pattern is priced at 23/20 with BoyleSports. The hosts have earned a win and both teams to score in three of their last five home matches and Sunday's clash could be set for a repeat at 15/8.
This French Ligue 1 match between Marseille and Brest will be played on and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Marseille vs Brest prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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