Marseille vs st. Etienne

Marseille is set to strengthen their position in the automatic Champions League qualification spots as they prepare to host Saint-Etienne at the Stade Velodrome in Ligue 1 this Saturday. This encounter will mark the 116th meeting between the two clubs, making it the third-most played fixture in Ligue 1 history, trailing only their respective clashes against Bordeaux. Marseille has historically dominated this matchup, especially at home, where they have won nearly 75% of the 57 previous encounters at the Velodrome, averaging 2.3 points per game. The last four meetings across all venues have also ended in Marseille victories, and a win on Saturday would mark the first time in history that they have secured five consecutive wins against Saint-Etienne.

Roberto De Zerbi, Marseille’s manager, has already enjoyed two victories over Saint-Etienne this season, both of which came at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. In those matches, Marseille scored six goals without conceding any, showcasing their superiority in both league and cup competitions. Marseille is coming off a 2-0 win against Angers last weekend, and another victory in this fixture would see them claim their 1200th Ligue 1 win, further solidifying their place at the top of the all-time Ligue 1 victory charts. Despite a shaky end to January, where they were knocked out of the cup by Lille and managed only one point from two league matches against Strasbourg and Nice, Marseille has experienced a resurgence in February. Wins against Lyon and Angers have helped them open a six-point gap over third place, although catching league leaders Paris Saint-Germain remains highly unlikely.

Interestingly, despite sitting second in the league, Marseille has yet to win back-to-back home games this season. This match presents an excellent opportunity to change that statistic. Under De Zerbi’s leadership, Marseille has become an even more entertaining side, with none of their last 60 matches ending goalless—a streak that dates back to the 1940s. This attacking prowess, combined with their historical dominance over Saint-Etienne, makes for a daunting prospect for the visitors.

From Saint-Etienne’s perspective, the outlook is far less optimistic. After a promising start under new manager Eirik Horneland, the team’s form has deteriorated rapidly. Horneland’s first four matches in charge saw only one defeat, against PSG, but February has been a disastrous month for Les Verts. They suffered a 4-1 loss to Lille and followed it up with a crucial defeat in a relegation six-pointer against Rennes last weekend. This loss left them three points behind 15th-placed Nantes, with Le Havre closing in from behind. Saint-Etienne’s struggles are not limited to recent form; they are winless in their last 11 away games this season, a run that extends from their previous campaign in the top flight, where they failed to win any of their final seven away matches.

Defensively, Saint-Etienne is experiencing their worst season in over 70 years. They have conceded 45 goals in just 21 games, only two shy of their worst-ever tally at this stage of a season. This defensive frailty, combined with their inability to secure points on the road, makes their task against a resurgent Marseille side even more challenging. The statistics paint a grim picture for Saint-Etienne, and their recent performances suggest that they are ill-equipped to handle the attacking threat posed by Marseille.

In summary, Marseille enters this match as clear favorites, with a strong home record, a recent uptick in form, and a historical edge over Saint-Etienne. De Zerbi’s tactical influence has added a new dimension to their play, making them one of the most entertaining teams in the league. On the other hand, Saint-Etienne is mired in a deep crisis, struggling defensively and unable to find consistency under their new manager. The stage is set for Marseille to consolidate their position in the Champions League places, while Saint-Etienne faces an uphill battle to avoid further slipping into the relegation zone.