Marseille Vs Strasbourg

Marseille will aim to solidify their position in the Ligue 1 top three as they prepare to host Strasbourg at the Stade Velodrome this Sunday. Roberto De Zerbi's team, currently in second place, has shown significant improvement in recent weeks, particularly in their home form. They have managed to build a comfortable gap between themselves and the teams behind them, signaling a return to their previous levels of competitiveness. 

This momentum was further demonstrated last weekend with a crucial 2-1 victory away to Rennes, a result that helped Marseille maintain their second-place standing, trailing only Paris Saint-Germain, the runaway leaders. With 16 points accumulated from their last six Ligue 1 matches, Marseille now hold a five-point advantage over Monaco, who sit just below them. However, despite this solid cushion, the primary objective for Marseille is now securing second place, as PSG remain seven points ahead at the top of the table, making the prospect of overtaking them increasingly unlikely.

Despite their strong league position, it has been a week of mixed emotions for Marseille. While their domestic form continues to improve, they suffered a setback in the Coupe de France, being eliminated by Lille in a dramatic penalty shootout. The match had appeared to be heading towards a positive conclusion for Marseille after Luis Henrique’s last-minute equalizer took the game to penalties. Unfortunately, despite the surge of momentum, Marseille were unable to convert in the shootout and were knocked out of the competition. This disappointing midweek result has somewhat dampened the optimism surrounding the team's progress.

Marseille’s home form has been a point of concern throughout the season, with only 12 of their 36 points coming from matches at the Velodrome. This uneven performance, with much stronger results away from home, is unique among Europe’s top leagues. However, their recent performances in front of their own fans have been far more promising. In their last three home league fixtures, Marseille have earned seven points, including a resounding victory over Le Havre and a vital win against Monaco. These performances have marked a significant turnaround from the earlier part of the season, which saw manager De Zerbi under immense pressure, even threatening to resign just two months ago following a difficult spell.

Looking ahead, Marseille face a challenging run of fixtures, with three tough matches in quick succession. Strasbourg will be the first of these challenges, followed by encounters against Nice and Lyon, both of whom have been in strong form of late. The upcoming stretch of matches will be pivotal in determining whether Marseille can maintain their position in the top three or if their grip on second place will begin to slip.

Historically, Marseille have dominated this fixture, remaining unbeaten in 17 consecutive meetings with Strasbourg before this season. However, in a surprising turn of events, Marseille were defeated 1-0 by Strasbourg in Alsace back in September. This result extended Strasbourg’s unbeaten streak against Marseille to five games, with the previous two seasons seeing four draws between the two sides. This unbeaten run has injected a new sense of optimism into Strasbourg’s camp as they prepare for their visit to the Velodrome.

For Strasbourg, manager Liam Rosenior will be looking to end a long wait for a victory at the Velodrome. Strasbourg have never won at the Stade Velodrome in the 21st century, having failed on 13 separate occasions. In fact, Marseille have not lost to any team more often at home than they have against Strasbourg. The last time Strasbourg won at the Velodrome was back in 1997, a stat that looms large as Rosenior’s team look to pull off an upset this weekend. However, Rosenior will have reason to be hopeful, as Strasbourg are currently on a strong run of form, having won their last three Ligue 1 matches in a row. The team’s recent performances have seen them climb the Ligue 1 table, and another victory would see them notch more wins in the last four matches than they managed in their first 14 league fixtures of the season.

Strasbourg’s recent success has propelled them to a more comfortable position in the table, with relegation fears now a distant memory. Their improvement has been even more notable when considering their earlier struggles this season. After a rough patch that saw them go five games without a win, Strasbourg have turned things around, winning their last five matches across all competitions. This includes victories in the Coupe de France, which have earned them a place in the last 16 of the tournament. With such form, Strasbourg are now firmly focused on securing a spot in European competition for next season.

Despite their recent progress, Rosenior will be acutely aware that his side must improve their performances from midweek if they are to achieve continued success. In the Coupe de France, Strasbourg narrowly defeated fifth-tier Thaon in a penalty shootout to progress. While the result was ultimately a positive one, the performance was less than convincing, and Rosenior will be keen to see a much more assured display when his team faces off against Marseille.

Looking at the broader picture, Strasbourg’s resurgence has been built on solid defensive organization and a more cohesive attacking setup. Their recent streak of victories has been crucial in lifting the team out of the bottom half of the table, with the squad now focusing on climbing higher up the standings. European qualification remains a viable goal, but the team will need to continue their winning run if they are to stay in contention for a place in one of the continental competitions next season. 

For Rosenior, the key to continued success lies in maintaining the balance between defense and attack, ensuring that his side remains resilient while being capable of punishing teams on the counter-attack. Marseille, despite their strong form in recent weeks, will present a tough challenge. However, Strasbourg’s confidence is high, and with their recent victories, they will approach the game with a belief that they can achieve something historic at the Velodrome.

Marseille, for their part, will be eager to bounce back from their midweek disappointment and keep their momentum going in Ligue 1. The team’s position in the table is secure for now, but with a challenging run of fixtures ahead, the margin for error is minimal. A win against Strasbourg would be a crucial step in maintaining their hold on second place and ensuring that they remain firmly in the race for a Champions League spot.

The upcoming match promises to be an intriguing one, with both teams in contrasting forms. Marseille, despite their home struggles earlier in the season, are now on a strong upward trajectory and will be determined to continue their recent improvements. Strasbourg, on the other hand, will be looking to extend their winning streak and make history by securing a rare victory at the Velodrome. The stakes are high for both teams, with plenty to play for as they look to achieve their respective goals for the remainder of the season.