Must Win Match for Both Teams

LEAGUE:  French Ligue 1
GAME:  Marseille vs Lyon
LOCATION:  Stade Velodrome
DATE:  Sunday 18/9
TIME:  20:45

Marseille welcome Lyon to the Stade Velodrome, for a Ligue 1 match which both teams really need to win, in order to keep pace with Monaco at the top of the table.

The home team have had a difficult start to the new campaign, winning only 1 of their 4 league games.  That win came against Lorient and Marseille also picked up a point against Toulouse at home, thanks to a 0-0 in the first game of the season.  However, poor form away from home has seen Marseille lose twice, to Guingamp and Nice and this leaves them with only 4 points from a possible 12 so far this season.

The visitors, Lyon, started the season on fire and won their first two matches comfortably, defeating Nancy away 3-0 and Caen 2-0 at home.  However, Lyon have failed to pick up a single point since the match against Caen, going down 4-2 at Dijon and 3-1 at home to Bordeaux.  Bruno Genesio’s team need to get back to winning ways quickly, if they are to challenge at the top of the table, something which the majority of fans were expecting them to do this season.

In the last 45 matches between the teams, Marseille have won 10, Lyon are on top with 18 wins and there have been 17 draws.

Tips

We have looked closely at the following aspects of this match, which offer good betting value:

• Winner
• Result and Both Teams to Score
• Anytime Goalscorer

An Even Contest

The one thing which can be said about these teams, is they are inconsistent.  Lyon looked very dangerous in the first few weeks of the season but have come unstuck since and Marseille cannot string any sort of good form together.  Lyon will miss the attacking threat of injured striker Alexandre Lacazette and this will harm their chances of getting the win.  However, Lyon still have more than enough to earn a point from this game.

Game Tip:  Draw is 3.4 at Bet365

Entertaining Match in Prospect

Both Marseille and Lyon have been involved in high scoring matches this season.  The loss of Lacazette will hurt Lyon in attack but Marseille’s defending has not been great, so they will believe they can still score goals.  The Lyon defence has also been struggling lately, conceding 7 goals in their last 2 matches and this could lead to goals being scored at both ends of the pitch.

Game Tip:  Draw and Both Teams to Score is 4.5 at 888sport

Thauvin on Form

Since his return to the club from Newcastle United on a season long loan, Florian Thauvin has been one of Marseille’s top performers.  The attacking midfielder has been a threat in games and already has two goals to his name, which came at Guingamp and Nice.  The 23-year-old will be keen to start finding the back of the net at the Stade Velodrome and what better time to do it than against Lyon?

Game Tip:  Florian Thauvin to Score Anytime is 3.4 at Ladbrokes