Lorient vs Marseille prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-12-09 19:45.
Another frustrating week of Ligue 1 action passed for Lorient as a 1-1 draw against Toulouse in the previous round saw them extend an already rotten run to just one win across their last 11 league matches (D4, L6). They enter this round occupying the relegation play-off spot as a result, but there is a great chance to climb the table as only four points separate 16th-placed Lorient from tenth ahead of the weekend.
The Stade du Moustoir is arguably the best place for Lorient to do just that as nine of their measly 12-point haul has been accrued on home soil, including both of their overall league wins so far (W2, D3, L2). Whilst a home return may be positive, a visit from Marseille often isn’t, as Lorient have failed to score across the last three home H2Hs and have not won any such game since 2012 (D3, L5).
Things haven’t been quite so drab for Marseille, who travel here after registering three consecutive victories which have both secured springtime European football and kept them in the top-half ahead of the round. That run was capped off with a stunning 3-0 win in the Derby des Olympiques in midweek, a result which should boost confidence as they look to build on their incredible return of 22 points from the last possible 24 against Lorient (W7, D1).
Simply being in the top-half is rarely good enough for a club of Marseille’s stature, so registering a first away league win of the season (D3, L4) is paramount if they’re to push on to the European places. That woeful travelling record represents Ligue 1’s joint worst, although it must be noted that they’re yet to be defeated as travelling pre-match favourites in league action this season (D3).
Players to watch: Eli Junior Kroupi leads the way for league goal contributions for Lorient this season (G4, A2), yet none contributed to victories (D3, L2). Trying to stop him will be marauding Marseille full-back Jonathan Clauss, who scored his side’s only away goal across their last three travelling league games as well as netting for France in the recent international break.
Hot stat: Lorient have won just two points after conceding the opening goal this season (D2, L5).