Football – France – Ligue 1
Sunday 21st December 2014 – Kickoff: 1300hrs
Marseille had their recent four match unbeaten run abruptly ended away at Monaco last weekend in a 1-0 defeat but they return to home surroundings for Sunday’s afternoon clash with Lille.
Marseille had previously won three of their four matches prior to the trip to Monaco with wins over fifth placed Bordeaux, eighth placed Nantes and lowly Metz along with a point away at Lorient – scoring 9 goals and conceding just 3 goals in reply.
The hosts will obviously be keen to bounce back with a win here in front of their home fans and with an overall record of 8-0-1 21/6 on home turf, they look very likely to do just that having won their last eight on the trot at their Stade Velodrome.
Striker Gignac (12 goals) looks a solid anytime goalscorer bet for the hosts here.
Visitors Lille overcame Bordeaux in their midweek Coupe de Ligue clash on penalties but I do wonder how much the extra time will weigh upon Lille when they make the tough trip to Marseille this Sunday?
Lille ended an eight-match run without a win last Sunday when they beat bottom half club Toulouse 3-0 at home, but despite their solid form at their Stade Pierre-Mauroy so far this season, it has been their results on the road that have let them down this term. An away record of 1-2-5 3/11 has been disappointing to say the least, as is the fact that they’ve now gone their last seven away matches without a win.
Goals have been hard to come by for Lille on their travels as they’ve failed to score in five of their eight away matches to date.
Marseille will be keen to return to winning ways and with Gignac and Ayew in support up front for the hosts, I’ll back the hosts to outgun the visitors today in what could be a 2-1 win.
Pick: Marseille straight win @ 1.67 bet365
