Lorient vs Marseille prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-04-08 18:45.
The positive momentum built up by Lorient ahead of the international break was dashed in emphatic fashion as their three-game unbeaten run came crashing down with a 3-1 defeat and a red card against Lille. That wasn’t the ideal start for Régis Le Bris’ men right after his contract extension until 2027, although that’s unlikely to dampen the mood as this remains Lorient’s best ever points return after 29 Ligue 1 rounds (44).
That return has eclipsed their 43-point haul from the 2012/13 season when finishing in eighth, yet with an eight-point gap to the top-five ahead of the round, European qualification may be a bridge too far. A home return could be a positive with Lorient unbeaten in all but one home league game since the turn of the year (W3, D2, L1), a record they’d do well to build on after seven consecutive defeats in clashes against Marseille.
The Olympians entered this round just six points in arrears of the league leaders, PSG, following a four-game unbeaten run of league games (W2, D2). Igor Tudor’s men came from behind to avoid defeat in their last two league games and the Croatian manager is clearly pulling no punches with his hardworking approach after reportedly kicking defender Nuno Tavares out of training this week for a lack of effort.
Playing away from home is no problem for Marseille, who are on the longest current winning streak of away league games across the top five European divisions (W8). The visitors scored at least twice in seven of those victories, whilst four of the last six came without reply, a compelling stat indeed for a side that haven’t lost away to Lorient in over a decade (W5, D2).
Players to watch: Ibrahima Koné popped up with his sixth goal for Lorient this season last time out, yet he’s only won two of his six scoring appearances within 90 minutes (W2, D2, L2). As for Marseille, 34 year-old veteran Alexis Sánchez has scored three of their last four goals and also struck for Chile during the international break.
Hot stat: Marseille have kept a joint league-high seven away clean sheets ahead of the round (50%).