Olympique de Marseille is set to take on Auxerre this Friday, February 21, 2025, at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps, kicking off at 17:05 (Brasília time). This match marks the 23rd round of Ligue 1, with Marseille eager to close the gap on league leaders PSG.
Currently, Olympique de Marseille stands second on the league table with 46 points after 22 games, having achieved 14 victories, 4 draws, and 4 losses. They are ten points behind PSG, who has firmly held the top position. Marseille is coming off a commendable victory over Saint-Étienne, giving them momentum heading to this match.
Meanwhile, Auxerre occupies the 12th spot, with only 25 points from their previous 22 games. Their recent form has been unsteady, but they are determined to escape the relegation threats looming over them. The team recently garnered two draws against Brest and Toulouse but has been facing injuries to key players.
For this matchup, Auxerre's head coach Christophe Pélissier will need to adjust his strategies due to several missing players like Sinaly Diomande and Nathan Buayi-Kiala, who are sidelined with injuries. Their anticipated lineup includes goalkeeper Donovan Léon and key attackers Hamed Junior Traoré and Gaëtan Perrin, all hoping to perform well at home.
Conversely, Olympique de Marseille will rely heavily on their star players, including Mason Greenwood and Adrien Rabiot. Greenwood, the English forward, has shone this season, adding to his tally of 14 goals. The team's lineup is expected to feature goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli and defenders Michael Murillo and Leonardo Balerdi under the tactical guidance of coach Roberto De Zerbi.
This clash has serious stakes for both teams, with Marseille aiming to fortify their pursuit of PSG and Auxerre striving for safety. Betting odds heavily favor the visiting team. Current predictions suggest a Marseille win is likely, with analysts pointing to their superior form and stronger squad depth. Odds reflect this sentiment, creating expectations of more than 2.5 goals based on past performance and offensive capabilities from both sides.
Medhi Benatia, the Director of Football at Marseille, has recently underscored the club's potential recruitment strategy, emphasizing the increasing importance of talents from Africa, particularly Algeria. He stated, "We do not look at identity when recruiting; the focus is mainly on AFCON talent. Today, every European club would like to have players like Bensebaini or Aït-Nouri." This shift indicates Marseille's broader strategy, possibly hinting at greater interest in such players following recent additions of Amine Gouiri and Ismaël Bennacer.
With both teams holding contrasting aspirations, this fixture promises to be entertaining. The home side will be desperate to leverage home advantage, hoping to surprise their more illustrious opponents. Fans can catch the live broadcast on CazéTV via YouTube, adding flair to the anticipation of local viewers.
Overall, all eyes will be on the outcome of this match as it could prove pivotal for both teams' ambitions this season, showcasing French football's competitive nature.