Marseille welcome Lorient to the Stade Velodrome for a Friday night Ligue 1 fixture, with both teams keen to shake off sluggish starts to the season.
Marseille have managed just one win from their opening three games and currently sit 10th in the table. Their last outing saw them fall to a 1-0 defeat at rivals Lyon in the Derby des Olympiques.
The good news for Marseille is that their only win this season has come at home, a 5-2 victory over Paris FC. That result extends a solid record at the Stade Velodrome, with Roberto De Zerbi's men winning their last five Ligue 1 home matches.
Lorient have a similar record to the hosts, having also earned just one win from their opening three matches. They head into this clash off the back of a disappointing 7-1 home defeat to Lille in their previous fixture.
Manager Olivier Pantaloni will be keen to bounce back quickly from that defeat, but Lorient’s away form has been unconvincing. The newly promoted side have lost their last two league matches on the road, stretching back to last season in Ligue 2.
How the bookies view it: Marseille overwhelming favourites
Marseille head into this clash as clear favourites among the bookies, with a home win priced at 1/3 by BoyleSports. An unlikely victory for Lorient is valued at 11/2 while a draw is set at odds of 4/1.
Head to head: Marseille in the driving seat
Marseille have a 17-6 advantage, with seven draws from 30 previous matches against Lorient. The last meeting between both teams was in May 2024, with the hosts earning a 3-1 home victory.
Players to watch: Focus on Aubameyang
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has settled quickly on his return to Marseille, scoring three goals in three Ligue 1 matches. The striker will be the one to watch on Friday (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang anytime goalscorer – valued at 20/21 by BoyleSports).
Tosin Aiyegun has caught the eye for Lorient this season, having also scored two goals in three matches. The striker could be worth keeping an eye on in this one (Tosin Aiyegun anytime goalscorer – priced at 7/2).
Probable line-ups:
Geronimo Rulli could retain his place in goal, while Derek Cornelius gets the nod in defence due to CJ Egan-Riley’s suspension. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg pairs with Angel Gomes in midfield, while Mason Greenwood, Amine Gouiri and Aubameyang lead the attack.
For Lorient, Bingourou Kamara is expected in goal, with Igor Carioca, Montassar Talbi and Abdoulaye Faye in a three-man defensive pairing. Arthur Avom and Laurent Abergel should hold their position in midfield, while Aiyegun, Dermane Karima and Sambou Soumano could lead the line.
Marseille: Rulli, Garcia, Cornelius, Balerdi, Murillo, Hojbjerg, Gomes, Weah, Gouiri, Greenwood; Aubameyang
Lorient: Kamara, Carioca, Talbi, Faye; Katseris, Avom, Abergel, Kouassi, Aiyegun, Dermane, Soumano
Anything else catch the eye?
Three of the last four matches between Marseille and Lorient have produced over 3.5 goals – available at 23/20 with BoyleSports. Both teams have scored in three of those four fixtures (BTTS YES – set at odds of 4/6).
Marseille have scored in both halves in their last five Ligue 1 home matches (Marseille to score in both halves – priced at 10/11). Given the minimal odds for a straight home victory, and with the hosts unconvincing at the back, a win and both teams to score offers more value (Marseille win & BTTS YES – offered at 13/8).
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