Looking to keep their faint hopes of winning the top-tier title alive, Marseille will welcome Lyon to Stade Velodrome for a Ligue 1 Choc des Olympiques on Sunday afternoon.
Les Olympiens were defeated at the home of Nice last time out in the league, whilst Les Gones have enjoyed continental duties over the past week.
Match preview
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After being forced to settle for the points against Strasbourg during their most recent home match, Marseille suffered their maiden defeat of the new calendar year last Sunday afternoon, when they travelled to the home of Nice and returned with nothing tangible to show for their efforts.
Les Olympiens failed to breach the net of the stubborn hosts on the afternoon, with goals either side of the half-time whistle from Mohamed-Ali Cho and leading Nice marksman Evann Guessand securing all three points for a side who are targeting a spot in the Champions League.
Suffering only their fourth league loss of the 2024-25 campaign last time out, Marseille remain in second place in the Ligue 1 standings as the programme enters February, with Sunday's hosts at Stade Velodrome lying 10 points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
Finding the net on 12 occasions across 19 top-flight appearances this season - whilst also providing three assists from teammates - Mason Greenwood is enjoying an excellent time on the South Coast, with the former Manchester United youngster quickly finding his feet in Ligue 1.
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After a worrying spell of results for Lyon, Sunday's visitors have confirmed the arrival of Paulo Fonseca as their new head coach, with former boss Pierre Sage relieved of his duties at a club who are looking to qualify for the 2025-26 edition of the highly-coveted Champions League.
Les Gones extended their winless run across all competitions to a staggering six matches on Thursday night, when the French outfit could only manage a share of the honours with Ludogorets Razgrad in the Europa League, with Dinis Almeida equalising late on for the Bulgarian champions.
Nevertheless, an impressive record of 15 points from their eight league phase contests meant that Lyon secured an automatic spot for the last 16 of UEFA's second-tier club competition, allowing them to bypass the stress of a two-legged playoff tie in the middle of February.
Focusing on domestic matters, Les Gones are currently occupying sixth spot in the Ligue 1 table following a three-match winless sequence in the competition, meaning that Fonseca joins the club with his troops three points behind Nice in the lowest of the Champions League positions.
Team News
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Managing just nine Ligue 1 appearances this term due to injury, Marseille's Amine Harit remains on the sidelines due to a calf issue picked up at the start of the calendar year.
Adding to the selection headache for Les Olympiens in advanced areas, attacking midfielder Valentin Carboni is still recovering from a cruciate ligament injury and is unlikely to feature again this campaign.
The hosts are also short of options in the engine room because of the absence of Geoffrey Kondogbia, who is expected back at some point in February from a calf strain.
Lyon have a quieter medical room in comparison to this weekend's opponents Marseille, although the visitors are unable to call upon the talents of Malick Fofana (hip).
Finding the net during the 1-1 draw at Nantes last weekend, Ernest Nuamah should have done enough to retain his spot in Les Gones' XI for Sunday.
Marseille possible starting lineup:
Rulli; Murillo, Balerdi, Lirola; Henrique, Rowe, Hojbjerg, Merlin; Rabiot, Greenwood; Maupay
Lyon possible starting lineup:
Perri; Kumbedi, Mata, Niakhate, Tagliafico; Matic; Cherki, Veretout, Tolisso, Nuamah; Lacazette
We say: Marseille 1-0 Lyon
Despite their less-than-ideal home form, Marseille should be confident of securing maximum points at the expense of Lyon this weekend at Stade Velodrome.
Les Gones will enter the contest with a new manager at the helm, although we feel that Fonseca will be unable to prevent his side's winless run from extending to seven matches across all competitions.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
