Verdict: Marseille win
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
Marking their return from September’s international break on Friday night, Marseille will welcome Lorient to the Stade Velodrome.
Marseille
Starting with the hosts, while Marseille might have got the new campaign underway with their sights set on genuinely challenging PSG’s crown, Marseille have shown some real cause for concern. Last seen heading into September’s international break with a 1-0 loss at the hands of historic rivals Lyon, there has been some speculation that Roberto De Zerbi could face some mounting pressure on his position. Losing two of their first three Ligue 1 showdowns, the former Brighton boss is demanding an immediate response on Friday night. However, despite landing a frantic 5-2 win against Paris FC on August 23rd, Marseille have shown some major defensive struggles. In fact, continuing on from last season, De Zerbi’s side have failed to muster a single clean sheet in their previous 12 consecutive Ligue 1 appearances.
Marseille Team News
Shown a straight red card against Lyon prior to September’s fortnight interval, summer recruit and England U21 international CJ Egan-Riley will miss out through suspension on Friday night.
Opening his Ligue 1 account with a brace at home against Paris FC last month, former Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will lead De Zerbi’s charge in the final third. Making a summer switch from domestic rivals Lille, one-time Manchester United youngster Angel Gomes will start in the middle of the park.
Lorient
As for the visitors, although Lorient might have sprung a major upset on August 24th as they stormed their way to a 4-0 romp at home against Rennes, Les Merlus immediately came crashing back down to earth prior to September’s fortnight break. Putting in a woeful performance at the Stade du Moustoir last time out as they slumped to a woeful 7-1 drumming at the hands of Lille, Oliver Pantaloni’s side look set for what will be another heavyweight examination this weekend. Pencilled in as a landslide underdog when they travel to the French giants on Friday night, Lorient should also be concerned by a nightmare record against Marseille. Hit with a routine 3-1 defeat when they travelled to the Stade Velodrome in May 2024, the Brittany-based outfit have registered just a single point from any of their last 10 consecutive Ligue 1 showdowns against Les Phoceens.
Lorient Team News
Suffering a reported thigh injury against Lille prior to September’s international break, Lorient are expected to be without Panos Katseris on Friday night. Likewise, one-time Marseille youngster Isak Toure remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee issue.
Finding the net in consecutive Ligue 1 appearances prior to September’s fortnight interval, former Zurich striker Aiyegun Tosin will shoulder plenty of Lorient’s goalscoring threat. Completing a simmer move to Brittany, Bingourou Kamara will start between the sticks.
Marseille vs Lorient Key Factors to Consider
- When Marseille last welcomed Lorient to the Stade Velodrome back in May 2024, Friday’s hosts stormed their way to a routine 3-1 win.
- Marseille have registered 29 points from their previous 10 Ligue 1 showdowns against Lorient.
- De Zerbi’s side have remarkably failed to record a single clean sheet in their previous 12 consecutive Ligue 1 appearances.
- Including a 7-1 drumming against Lille prior to September’s international break, Lorient’s first three Ligue 1 matchups this season have produced 13 goals at both ends of the pitch.
- Six of the last seven meetings between Marseille and Lorient have finished with over 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
Losing two of their first three Ligue 1 appearances, Marseille mark their return from September’s international break with plenty of pressure on their shoulders. However, landing a 3-1 victory when they last met Lorient back in May 2024, De Zerbi’s men will certainly be excited by a dominant record against Les Merlus. Registering 29 points from their previous 10 top-flight showdowns against the Ligue 1 returners, the former Brighton boss finds his squad rightfully installed as a standout contender this weekend. Despite showing some major defensive issues on either side of the summer interval, we are backing what could be an enjoyable home victory on Friday night.
Verdict: Marseille win
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
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