Marseille will be looking to claim their third successive win under new head coach Jean-Louis Gasset when they travel to the Stade Gabriel Montpied to face Ligue 1 basement club Clermont on Saturday evening.
The two teams meet for the first time since mid-December when Les Olympiens secured a 2-1 victory at the Stade Velodrome.
Match preview
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Although Clermont claimed an admirable point in a goalless draw with Champions League-chasing Nice last weekend, they missed the opportunity to collect all three and have subsequently extended their unwanted winless run in all competitions to six matches.
Les Lanciers held their own against a team 14 places above them and particularly impressed towards the end of the first half, but they were made to rue a number of good opportunities; Bilal Boutobba almost poked the visitors in front shortly before Shamar Nicholson had a penalty saved by Marcin Bulka on the stroke of half time.
The pressure continues to mount on head coach Pascal Gastien, who after nearly seven years in charge has insisted that he "wants to continue" and remains focused on steering Clermont away from danger, aware that his side must find a winning formula quickly if they are to reduce the five-point gap to safety.
Clermont, who are now gearing up for their 100th Ligue 1 match, have largely struggled both home and away this term, but particularly in front of their own fans having won only one of their 11 top-flight fixtures at the Stade Gabriel Montpied, despite winning each of their final five home matches of the previous campaign.
Hopes of claiming a positive result on Saturday appear to be slim for Les Lanciers, who have picked up just four points against current top-half teams this season, fewer than any other team in Ligue 1, while they have lost four of their last five league meetings with Marseille.
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Jean-Louis Gasset has made an immediate impact as Marseille head coach since replacing Gennaro Gattuso last week, as he has celebrated back-to-back home victories over Shakhtar Donetsk and Montpellier within a three-day period.
A 3-1 success over Shakhtar in the Europa League playoff round – winning 5-3 on aggregate – was followed by a comfortable 4-1 win over Montpellier in Ligue 1 last Sunday courtesy of goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2), Iliman Ndiaye and an own goal from Falaye Sacko.
Despite claiming their first league win of 2024, Marseille remain ninth in the table, but they were able to capitalise on defeats by both Lens and Lille and have subsequently moved to within five points of the latter in fifth place.
Gasset is now gearing up for his first away match in charge of Marseille, who have picked up the fewest Ligue 1 points (seven) on the road this season - winning just one of their 11 away matches - and a whopping 19 points fewer than at this stage of the previous campaign.
Marseille's form on their travels unsurprisingly need to improve quickly if they wish to keep their European qualification hopes alive, and they should be confident of success this weekend as they have won each of their previous three visits to Clermont by an aggregate score of 5-1.
Team News
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Clermont youngsters Stan Berkani (foot) and Adam Mabrouk (shin) both remain sidelined, while Maximiliano Caufriez will serve the second and final game of his two-match suspension.
However, Elbasan Rashani is available to return from his own two-game ban, although he faces competition from Jim Allevinah for a start on the left flank.
Florent Ogier and Chrislain Matsima are set to retain their partnership in central defence, while Muhammed Cham is expected to operate in the number 10 role behind striker Nicholson, who is looking to end his four-game goal drought.
As for Marseille, Valentin Rongier (knee), Amir Murillo (muscle) and Bilal Nadir (ACL) all remain in the treatment room, but Jonathan Clauss is available to return from a one-match ban and is set to be recalled at right-back.
Samuel Gigot could therefore make way if Gasset opts to select both Chancel Mbemba and Leonardo Balerdi in central defence, while January signing Quentin Merlin should continue at left-back.
Jordan Veretout could once again be joined in midfield by Geoffrey Kondogbia and Amine Harit, while Aubameyang – who has scored three goals in his last two games – is set to be supported in attack by Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr.
Clermont possible starting lineup:
Diaw; Pelmard, Matsima, Ogier, Borges; Gonalons, Gastien; Boutobba, Cham, Allevinah; Nicholson
Marseille possible starting lineup:
Lopez; Clauss, Mbemba, Balerdi, Merlin; Veretout, Kondogbia, Harit; Sarr, Aubameyang, Ndiaye
We say: Clermont 1-2 Marseille
Both teams have reason to be optimistic of success on Saturday and will view this fixture as a must-win if they wish to achieve their end-of-season targets.
Although Marseille's away from has been woeful to say the least this term, their resurgence under new boss Gasset has not gone unnoticed and the 70-year-old should have enough quality at his disposal to lead the visitors to an important victory over their relegation-threatened counterparts.
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Oliver Thomas
