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Aron Wright - April 24, 2018
Marseille vs Red Bull Salzburg
UEFA Europa League Semifinal 1st Leg
Date: Thursday, 26th April 2018
Kick-off at 20:05 UK/ 21:05 CET
Venue: Stade Velodrome (Marseille).
Marseille battle Red Bull Salzburg for a place in Europa League final after meeting for the first time in this season’s group stage.
The Austrians managed to pick four points when they met Marseille in the group stage. They won 1-0 at home before a goal-less stalemate at the Stade Vélodrome. Salzburg finished as group winners with Marseille on second with a 4 point difference.
Both teams were part of memorable comebacks in the quarter finals. Marseille overturned a 1-0 defeat at Leipzig with a thumping 5-2 home win. While, Salzburg knocked out Lazio with a 4-1 home win after a 4-2 loss in Rome.
Marseille are unbeaten at home in this season’s Europa League carrying over from the qualification stages. They won 7 of their 8 games at the Vélodrome and the only team to deny them a victory is their semifinal opponent.
Salzburg have a decent away record in this season’s Europa League. They were unbeaten until the defeat at Lazio with 3 wins and 3 draws from the previous 6 games. The important point is that they scored 2 goals in the three away knockout games.
The teams met in the group stage of the current campaign which happened to be their first European meeting. The two matches saw a goal-less stalemate in Marseille before Salzburg winning 1-0 at home.
Marseille’s record against Austrian clubs is 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses from six matches. At home, they are unbeaten with a win and 2 draws.
Salzburg’s record against French sides is 3 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses from six games. They won, drew and lost 1 each from 3 outings in French soil.
This tie is anyone’s for the taking and I believe the results at their respective home grounds play a key role in the final outcome.
Marseille scored 11 goals in their 3 home fixtures in the knockout phase, while Salzburg netted 6 times in as many away games. So, this is a match between two attacking oriented sides and both teams to score is our top pick.
I believe Marseille are a tough nut to crack at their own backyard and therefore backing the French side to win with over 2.5 full-time goals present a decent alternate.
Both teams to Score @ 1.69 odd with 10bet is a banker
FT – Marseille to win & Over 2.5 goals @ 2.20 odd with Spin Palace Sport.
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Marseille: Team News
The experienced goal-keeper Steve Mandanda and young defender Boubacar Kamara are the players in sideline for the Olympians.
The hardworking Hiroki Sakai suffered a knock in the first leg tie against RB Leipzig and he remains a doubt.
Marseille Predicted Starting Line-ups (4-2-3-1)
Pele – Amavi, Rolando, Rami, Sarr – Gustavo, Lopez – Ocampos, Payet, Thauvin, Germain.
Salzburg: Team News
Diadie Samassekou is available for selection after serving suspension.
Therefore, Salzburg manager Marco Rose have a full-fit squad at his disposal.
Salzburg Predicted Starting Line-ups (4-3-2-1)
Walke – Ulmer, Caleta, Ramalho, Lainer – Haidara, Berisha, Samassekou – Schlager – Dabbur, Hee-chan.
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