Marseille vs Angers
Orange Vélodrome, Marseille
Saturday, 25-01-2020 @7:30pm
Ref: Johann Hamel
André Villas-Boas has really put his Marseille side in the mood in recent weeks with les Olympiens currently on an incredible run of form. They are unbeaten since November and have cut PSG’s lead at the top to eight points which is quite impressive considering Paris’ squad and budget. A win here could cut that to five ahead of the Parisians’ trip to Lille on Sunday so three points here are for Marseille is crucial.
As mentioned, Marseille’s form has been fantastic with ten wins and a draw in their last eleven games. They’ve managed to beat the likes of Lille, Lyon and Rennes in this time and it seems as if they really mean business this year. They’ve scored 22 goals in this time which is a solid return but the seven goals conceded is what has really kept this run going.
Marseille faced three tricky away games in their last three matches but they won each one and with them going back to the Velodrome here, they will be a force to contend with. Les Olympiens have won each of their last six home games and will be eager to make it seven here.
Angers won’t just roll over though as they have their own interests going into this match three points off fourth despite sitting 10th. They are unbeaten in their last five matches with three wins in this time but the quality of opponents has been slightly questionable so these victories do need to be looked at in context. They managed to beat fifth-tier Dieppe (3-1) before smashing fourth-tier Rouen (4-1) but the minnows barely managed to put up a fight and Angers’ form outside of these games should really be what’s examined in anticipation of this clash.
They have won just one of their last six games in the league despite having ample opportunities to pick up points such as their two clashes with Nice in this time (1-3, 1-1). Angers also recently lost to Marseille 2-0 at home so with this one happening at the Velodrome, les SCO could be in with quite the challenge.
Both teams have scored in four of the last five clashes between these sides, in seven of Marseille’s last eight home games and in five of Angers’ last six matches in all competitions. The hosts are unbeaten in their last eleven games with ten wins and 22 goals scored in this time. Angers have won just one of their last six matches in the league but have conceded more than two goals in just one of their last eleven games in all competitions.
All French Ligue One fixtures this weekend
Saturday, 25-01-2020
-Marseille vs Angers @7:30pm
-Brest vs Amiens @10pm
-Monaco vs Strasbourg @10pm
-Montpellier vs Dijon @10pm
-Reims vs Metz @10pm
-Saint Ettiene vs Nimes @10pm
Sunday, 26-01-2020
-Lyon vs Toulouse @5pm
-Nantes vs Bordeaux @7pm
-Lille vs PSG @11pm
Friday’s result
-Nice 1-1 Rennes