Action in France’s Ligue 1 kicks off on August 21, when Marseille open the new campaign in a clash against Strasbourg at the Stade Vélodrome.
Marseille Begin New Era on Home Turf
Bruno Génésio will take charge of Marseille for the first time in a competitive fixture on Friday. Les Phocéens have had a summer overhaul of their squad, with attacker Timothy Weah joining the club.
However, Marseille have lost some of their most important players, notably Mason Greenwood, who scored 16 goals in 32 appearances last term. It has been a mixed pre-season for the French club, winning two of their three fixtures.
Igor Paixão will be the key player in the final third after scoring twice in pre-season. Quinten Timber is suspended after an accumulation of yellow cards at the end of last season.
Marseille predicted lineup vs Strasbourg (4-2-3-1): De Lange; Weah, Balerdi, Kondogbia, Emerson; Abdelli, Hojbjerg; Harit, Gomes, Paixão; Gouiri
Summer Overhaul Completed at Strasbourg
Hugo Oliveira will take charge of Strasbourg for the first time on Friday. The French club have completed an overhaul of their squad, with younger stars Diogo Sousa, Jacob Ortega, and Fabio Balde brought in to replace Valentin Barco, Emmanuel Emegha, and Junior Mwanga, who have departed for big fees.
It has been a disappointing pre-season for Strasbourg, failing to win in their last three friendlies.
However, an attacking threat has been displayed, scoring three times. Martial Godo will be an important forward, having netted twice in as many appearances. Oliveira will only be without the injured Joaquin Panichelli this weekend.
Strasbourg predicted lineup vs Marseille (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Doue, Omobamidele, Becker, Chilwell; Sousa, El Mourabet; Godo, Nanasi, Moreira; Mara
Marseille vs Strasbourg Prediction
- Safe Tip: Both Teams to Score
- Odds: 1.52 (22Bet)
- 22Bet Booking Code: SHAZS
- Correct score prediction: Marseille 1-1 Strasbourg
Key stats:
- Marseille have scored and conceded in three of their last four fixtures.
- Strasbourg have conceded at least once in each of their previous three.
- BTTS has been a winning selection in seven of the eight head-to-heads.
An entertaining opening night clash in Ligue 1 is expected for Friday, ensuring value in both teams to score after claiming the 22Bet bonus of up to 122 $/€.
Marseille have found the net at least once and conceded in three of their last four pre-season fixtures, showing defensive vulnerability after allowing three goals in their previous two.
Strasbourg have defended weakly in recent outings, conceding eight in three. However, they have also scored three across the same period.
BTTS has been a prominent selection in recent head-to-heads involving these sides, with seven of the last eight seeing both teams score.
Marseille vs Strasbourg Prediction, Value Tip
- Value Tip: The Draw
- Odds: 4.2 (22Bet)
- 22Bet Booking Code: 8UCZS
The draw could be the value play when making predictions this weekend. Both sides have endured summer overhauls, with many of their top stars from last season having departed.
Both managers will be keen to avoid defeat on the opening day, and a draw would be a positive result for both teams. It is also notable that six of the previous eight head-to-head encounters have ended in score draws, including each of the previous four at the Stade Velodrome.
Verdict: Both Teams to Score (1.52) — Marseille 1-1 Strasbourg
