Marseille will be looking to overturn a slim deficit when they host Panathinaikos in the second leg of their Champions League third round qualifier. While the Greeks are dangerous opponents, Marseille have the quality to do the needful on Tuesday and progress to the next stage.
It was a game of few chances in the first leg with Marseille close to earning a deserved draw in Greece. However, a red card to Geoffrey Kondogbia midway through the second half handed Panathinaikos the advantage and they scored the winner seven minutes from time.
While the result would have been disappointing, manager Marcelino will take lots of positives from the team’s performance. Marseille’s defensive display will be particularly pleasing as they held out for long periods before being reduced to 10 men.
Marseille will be relying on home support on Tuesday having won four of their last six matches at Orange Velodrome. The already showed their quality in front of their fans last weekend, claiming a 2-1 home victory in their opening Ligue 1 fixture of the season.
Panathinaikos will be pleased to hold the advantage ahead of the second leg, although they barely created much in the first meeting. The clash looked to be heading for a drab draw before Bernard struck the winner seven minutes from time after Marseille had been reduced to 10 men.
The Greek side joined the Champions League in the second qualifying round and have looked solid ever since. Ivan Jovanivic’s men are unbeaten in three matches in the competition, claiming two wins and a draw in that run.
Panathinaikos have not played in the group stage of the Champions League since the 2010-11 campaign. They often fall at the qualifying stage, seemingly struggling to match up to the higher quality as the competition advances.
How the bookies view it
Despite losing the first leg, Marseille are still considered overwhelming favourites among the bookies with a home win priced at 4/7 with bet365. A victory for Panathinaikos is valued at 11/2 with William Hill while a draw is set at odds of 31/10 by bet365.
Head to head
Last week’s clash was the first ever meeting between Marseille and Panathinaikos.
Players to watch
While their forward players had a quiet outing in the first leg, Marseille are expected to show a lot more attacking verve buoyed on by the home support. Vitinha was on target in Ligue 1 last weekend and could be worth keeping an eye on to score anytime at 13/8 with Paddy Power.
Having shown plenty of defensive discipline in the first leg until Kondogbia got sent off, Marseille will be targeting a similar performance at home. Samuel Gigot and Leonardo Balerdi should continue at the back and can lead the French side to a clean sheet at 11/10 with bet365.
Anything else catch the eye?
With Marseille likely to keep a clean sheet on Tuesday, a win to nil can be backed at 6/4 with bet365. Given their superior attacking quality, a -1 handicap can also be considered at 8/5 with bet365.
That superior attacking quality combined with some vital home support could see Marseille score in both halves at 13/8 with bet365.
This UEFA Champions League match between Marseille and Panathinaikos will be played on Aug 15, 2023 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Marseille vs Panathinaikos prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
