UEFA Europa League - Marseille VS Benfica Prediction
UEFA Europa League - Marseille VS Benfica
Match Time: 19-04-2024 03:00 Friday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Olympique Marseille
Jean-Louis Gasset faces a significant challenge with a string of injuries impacting his Marseille squad. The team is likely to be without key players such as Ismaila Sarr and Jonathan Clauss, with both grappling with hamstring issues.
Bamo Meite, Quentin Merlin, Jean Onana, Valentin Rongier, and Bilal Nadir, are all nursing various injuries including ankle, muscle, and knee concerns ahead of Thursday’s crucial fixture. This severely restricts Gasset’s ability to select his first XI for the game.
Marseille are expected to line up in a 3-5-2 formation with Pau Lopez in goal. He should be protected by the back three of Samuel Gigot, Leonardo Balerdi, and Chancel Mbemba. Geoffrey Kondogbia, Azzedine Ounahi, and Jordan Veretout should form the central midfield trio, with Iliman Ndiaye and Amine Harit providing the width.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should lead the frontline, with Faris Moumbagna alongside him. The Gabonese star is the difference-maker for the home side and will aim to make a telling difference in the tie.
Benfica
Benfica’s squad appears to be relatively healthy ahead of Thursday’s clash with Marseille, with Juan Bernat being the only injury concern. Schmidt is unlikely to tinker much with the side that won in Portugal and will hope that the same players can see them through.
In a 4-2-3-1 formation, Anatoliy Trubin is expected to guard the goal, protected by Alexander Bah, Antonio Silva, Nicolas Otamendi, and Fredrik Aursnes in defence. The tactical versatility of this setup also allows for a seamless transition to a 4-2-1-3 if required.
Florentino Luís and Joao Neves will form the midfield duo, providing a base for the trio of Rafa Silva, Angel Di Maria, and David Neres to push forward. Casper Tengstedt should lead the line up front and will hope to secure some joy on the counter. With Arthur Cabral on the bench, the Eagles will have options if needed.
Marseille possible starting lineup:
Lopez; Gigot, Balerdi, Mbemba; Harit, Ounahi, Kondogbia, Veretout, Ndiaye; Aubameyang, Moumbagna
Benfica possible starting lineup:
Trubin; Bah, Silva, Otamendi, Aursnes; Florentino, Neves; Di Maria, Rafa, Neres; Tengstedt
Olympique Marseille vs Benfica Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
*There have been seven meetings between Marseille and Benfica. The hosts have won three of those games while the visitors have won twice. There have been two draws between the two teams.
*The hosts are without a clean sheet in their last five games in this fixture.
*Marseille are the third-highest-scoring side in the Europa League this season with a goal tally of 25.
*All three of Benfica's league defeats this season have come on the road.
*As Águias have scored at least one goal in their last nine games across all competitions.
Prediction: Marseille 1-1 Benfica (Benfica win 3-2 on aggregate)
While Marseille have won four and drawn one of their five Europa League games at the Velodrome this season, averaging 3.2 goals per game, the impact of recent defeats and injury worries could hinder Gasset's men. Thus, Benfica are backed to make it into the Europa League semis where they would face Liverpool or Atalanta.
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