Verdict: Marseille win
Best Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
Two camps who are looking to kickstart their respective Champions League adventures on Wednesday night, Marseille will welcome Atalanta to the Stade Velodrome.
Marseille
Starting with the hosts, managing to make a much-welcomed return to winning ways over the weekend as they clinched a 1-0 victory away at Auxerre, Marseille are now hoping to find some crucial stability. Last seen in Champions League action falling to a disappointing 2-1 loss away at Portuguese heavyweights Sporting Lisbon, Roberto De Zerbi’s men will be excited to make a return to home soil here. Including a sensational 1-0 victory against reigning European champions PSG on September 22nd, the former Brighton boss has seen his squad register 16 points from their first six showdowns at the Stade Velodrome. With their sights firmly set on clinching a Champions League knockout stage ticket this season, Marseille will be confident of claiming an immediate European response on Wednesday night.
Marseille Team News
While Swiss international Ulisses Garcia might have been shown a Ligue 1 red card against Auxerre over the weekend, the 29-year-old is free to feature here. However, all still dealing with respective injury issues, Marseille will be without the likes of Leonardo Balerdi, Hamed Junior Traore and former Juventus starlet Timothy Weah.
Handed a full rest on Saturday, ex-Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood will be handed a full recall in midweek. Completing a summer switch from Brighton, Danish international Matt O’Riley will start in the middle of the park.
Atalanta
As for the visitors, while Ivan Juric might have arrived in Bergamo over the summer, Atalanta have failed to find any kind of fluidity under the former Southampton boss. Last seen over the weekend putting in a toothless performance as they slumped to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Udinese, La Dea have come tumbling down the Serie A standings. Eventually forced to settle for a disappointing 0-0 stalemate at home against Slavia Prague on October 22nd, Wednesday’s guests have failed to win any of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Getting their Champions League adventure underway with a 4-0 drumming at the hands of reigning European champions PSG on September 17th, Atalanta should be concerned by another trip to France in midweek.
Atalanta Team News
All still dealing with respective thigh injuries, Atalanta will be unable to call upon the trio of Giorgio Scalvini, Marten de Roon and former AC Milan youngster Daniel Maldini. However, only making a brief cameo appearance off the bench on Saturday, Belgium international Charles De Ketelaere will be handed a full recall.
Eventually staying put in Bergamo following a real summer transfer saga, ex-Everton forward Ademola Lookman should feature from the start and could replace Gianluca Scamacca. Croatian international Mario Pasalic should keep his spot in the middle of the park.
Marseille vs Atalanta Key Factors to Consider
- When Marseille and Atalanta last met in European action back in May 2024, La Dea stormed their way to a stellar 4-1 aggregate win.
- However, Atalanta have failed to win any of their previous six appearances across all competitions.
- Marseille have registered 16 points from their first six showdowns at the Stade Velodrome across all fronts.
- Wednesday’s hosts have registered 22 goals in those six consecutive home fixtures.
- La Dea have failed to record more than a single strike in seven of their last eight matchups.
Conclusion
Excited to make a return to the Stade Velodrome on Wednesday night, Marseille will know the importance of claiming an immediate Champions League response here. Gaining a reputation for their extended success on home soil, De Zerbi’s side have registered 16 points from their first six showdowns in front of their own supporters and they should be smelling a real opportunity in midweek. Meeting an Atalanta squad who have failed to record a single victory across any format since the end of September, we are backing a home win on Wednesday.
Verdict: Marseille win
Best Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
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