Marseille-Lens is a match of the 31st day of Ligue 1 and is played on Sunday at 9 p.m.: statistics, likely lineups, live TV and predictions.
A crucial week is about to open for Marseille, still engaged on two fronts, league and Europa League. In Ligue 1, Jean-Louis Gasset’s men have slowed down again in the last month and a half, winning only three points in five days. And sixth place, which seemed to be back within reach, is now further away. The Phocéens finished -5 behind Lens, whom they will face on the very postponement of the 31st day. A match that represents perhaps the last chance to get closer to the positions that matter.
If not, Marseille, currently eighth, will have to be content with the week square. That at the end of the games – everything will depend on who wins the French Cup – will likely put up for grabs a pass to the Conference League. Then there is another road, surely the more circuitous one, to qualify for the next Champions League and that is to win the Europa League. Next Thursday, Aubameyang and his teammates will welcome Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta to the Velodrome for the first round of a double-header that promises spectacle. However, before thinking about Dea, Gasset will be hunting for the three points with Lens, after their two draws in a row — both ended 2-2 — with Toulouse and Nice. The Giallorossi just broke their fast of victories by beating tail-end Clermont 1-0, bent by a Sotoca penalty in the third minute of play.
Franck Haise’s team failed to repeat last season, when it finished second behind PSG and qualified for the Champions League, but it can still finish in the top five. Nice, fifth, is only two points ahead, and rivals Lille, +6 up on the Sang et Or, are not far behind either.
The Prediction
Marseille played during the week, Lens did not. And the greater physical freshness could make the difference in this interesting direct clash, since Gasset’s men, since the return match with Benfica in the Europa League, have taken the field practically every third day. A draw is not to be ruled out.
The likely lineups for Marseille-Lens
MARSEILLE (4-3-3): Pau Lopez; Murillo, Gigot, Balerdi, Garcia; Veretout, Kondogbia, Harit; Ndiaye, Aubameyang, Correa.
LENS (3-4-3): Samba; Aguilar, Danso, Medina; Frankowski, Diouf, El-Aynaoui, Machado; Sotoca, Wahi, Da Costa.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
