Marseille vs Strasbourg prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-01-11 20:00.
Ligue 1 returns to action in 2024 with a meeting of two of its most in-form sides, as a resurgent Marseille welcome Strasbourg to the Orange Vélodrome. Gennaro Gattuso’s men have avoided defeat in six successive league matches (W4, D2) and occupied a European place over Christmas as a result, but still sitting six points adrift of the top three, the Olympians will have their sights set on the podium.
Supreme home form is likely to drive any assault on the UEFA Champions League places, as Marseille are unbeaten on their own turf since May (W9, D3), while they’ve been beaten just once in their last 14 Ligue 1 home matches (W9, D4). Conceding a joint-league low two home goals in Ligue 1 goes a long way to helping that, and when you combine that with the fact that the Olympians haven’t lost this fixture on their territory in the top-flight since 1997 (W10, D5 since), they’re understandably favourites.
However, Strasbourg will have plenty to say about that as they’ve won three successive league matches by a 2-1 scoreline to move clear of the relegation battle. Le Racing could now win four league games on the spin for the first time since December 2018 – January 2019, while Patrick Vieira’s men carry the added incentive of moving within a point of their hosts should they emerge victorious on Friday night.
And having avoided defeat from the last three meetings with Marseille (D3), the Strasbourg faithful may be confident of at least avoiding defeat. Hitting the road may dilute their faith though, as Le Racing were winless in four away league matches before defeating Lorient in their last away assignment (D2, L2), while they’ve netted a measly six goals from their eight such fixtures in Ligue 1 this term.
Players to watch: Marseille wing-back Jonathan Clauss has directly contributed to four goals in eight personal H2Hs (G1, A3), including scoring the equaliser in this season’s reverse fixture. Strasbourg youngster Junior Mwanga came to the fore ahead of the winter break, having a hand in goals in back-to-back matches (G1, A1).
Hot stat: Marseille have scored 18 of their 25 Ligue 1 goals this season before half-time, while Strasbourg have netted 14 of their 18 after half-time!