Prediction: AEK Athens vs Marseille

Verdict: Full-time draw 

Best odds: 3.60

Bookmaker: Zetbet

AEK and Marseille are fighting for Group B supremacy hoping to qualify for the knock-out stage of the Europa League. The game will be played in Athens on OPSP Arena, starting at 22:00, in front of a very well-known fanatic crowd.

AEK

AEK need a positive result in front of Marseille to remain in the race of finishing in the top 2 of this tricky group B. The defending Greece champions sit 2nd in the table with 4 points, just below the leaders Marseille. AEK failed to qualify in the Champions League group stage being knocked out dramatically by the Belgian champions Antwerp. The Greek giants displayed their vast experience in European competitions by winning the 1st match of this group, 3-2 away at Brighton. Matias Almeida’s players made a statement showing from the very 1st game they mean business. AEK’s faith in this difficult group B suffered a major setback in the 2nd match against Ajax. It was a tricky game that ended unexpectedly in a stalemate with the free-falling Dutch giants from Amsterdam.

AEK prioritised the Europa League in favour of their domestic competition. This strategy had the current champions falling to 3rd position in the Greece Super League, 4 points behind leaders Panathinaikos. The last setback, a 1-1 draw away at Kifisias was not the best result before hosting OM. However, AEK lost only one competitive match this season played at OPSP Arena, 1-2 with Antwerp. Vida&Co pulled back-to-back wins at home defeating the big rivals PAOK (2-0) and Panetolikos (3-0).

Team News

Paulo Fernandes, the Spanish striker is still recovering from his Achilles tendon injury and will not be part of the squad that will face Marseille. Cican Stankovic is suspended for this game after receiving a red card in Marseille.

Vida and Moukoudi will pair again in the centre back with Sidibe and Milad Mohammadi covering the left and right flank. Szymanski and Jonsson will play as defensive midfielders, aiming to stop Marseille’s attacks. Ponce is hoping to score again, being baked by Eliasson, Mantalos and Pineda.

Marseille

Marseille managed to put the difficult start of their season behind them by topping Group B with 5 points from 3 games. The French giants from the Mediterranean Coast started their Europa League campaign with a spectacular draw away match in Amsterdam with Ajax (3-3). OM’s defence had a poor performance in the 2nd match of the group, conceding 2 goals at home with Brighton (2-2 final result). Genaro Gattuso’s players got the upper hand on AEK in France winning 3-1 in front of their fans. It was a result that propelled the visitors to the top of Group B, a position they hope to hold after the fierce battle in Athens.

Marseille’s off-field developments from the start of the season had a massive impact on the team’s performance on the pitch. The club owners received threats from Marseilles’s Ultras, creating a dangerous environment for the coaching staff and players.  Marcelino and his entire staff resigned after just 7 games at the helm. Gennaro Gattuso, the volcanic former World Cup winner, took over but is struggling to stir the ship in the right direction. OM sits 9th in the table, just 3 points from the relegation zone. Marseille failed to score in the last Ligue 1 match, being held at home by Lille in a goal-less draw.

Team News

Pape Gueye is still serving his 4-month ban after breaching his contract with Watford. Azzedine Ounahi suffered a knock injury and will not travel to Greece.  Pedro Ruiz is out for a long term, recovering from his cruciate ligament injury.

Gigot and Mbemba will partner as centre-backs with Lodi and Clauss defending the sides. Roniger, Veretout and Kondogbia form a strong triangle in the midfield, hoping to stop AEK’s build-up. the veteran Aubameyang will try to score, after failing to do so in the last 3 matches played. Sarr and Harit are expected to start as wingers, backing Aubameyang in front of the goalie.

Key factors to consider

• AEK lost only 1 competitive match played at home this season.
• The Greece champions had their confidence boosted after winning the derby with PAOK (2-0).
• Matias Almeida’s players won the last 2 matches played at OPSP Arena without conceding a goal.
• OM won only 2 of their last 10 competitive matches.
• The visitors are leaders in Group B with 5 points.
• Marseille failed to win a competitive match played away this season.

Conclusion

AEK seem to have lost their consistency from the previous season, struggling to get the results. OM are finally finding their rhythm under Gatusso and are favourites to win in Athens.

Verdict: Full-time draw 

Best odds: 3.60

Bookmaker: Zetbet