Olympique Marseille vs Montpellier HSC – 31/03/2023
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Marseille can take another big step toward Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the Ligue 1 table on Friday night. OM are second in the Ligue 1 standings and seven points off Paris Saint-Germain. Igor Tudor’s team can close the gap to four points with a home win over Montpellier.
Montpellier failed to win any of their last six matches against Marseille in all competitions. OM picked up five wins and a draw from their last six matches versus Montpellier.
The teams met as recently as January in Ligue 1, with Marseille winning away from home, 2-1. After a scoreless first half, Nuno Tavares scored for Marseille on 47 minutes. Just after the hour mark, Montpellier’s Maxime Esteve scored an own goal to double OM’s lead.
Montpellier didn’t score until the first minute of second-half stoppage-time. The 2-1 scoreline flattered Montpellier, as Marseille were not troubled for large parts of the fixture.
Things could be different this time around. Montpellier are on top of the Ligue 1 form table with 16 points from the last 18 points on offer.
Manager Michel Der Zakarian was appointed manager in early February after a disastrous campaign under ex-coach Olivier Dall’Oglio and interim boss Romain Pitau.
Der Zakarian managed Montpellier from 2017 to 2021 before leaving for Brest. His return has inspired the side on the pitch.
Montpellier scored 13 times and conceded two goals across their last six games.
Marseille took 13 points from their last six games in Ligue 1. Olympique scored 10 goals and conceded eight times across the last six fixtures.
Tudor will be without defender Leandro Balerdi due to a suspension. Joining Balerdi on the sidelines will be defender Sead Kolasinac.The ex-Arsenal man has a groin injury.
Marseille coach Der Zakarian will be without midfielder Jordan Ferri due to a suspension. Defenders Faitout Maouassa and Maxime Esteve are both unlikely to play.
Midfielders Enzo Tchato and Leo Leroy could miss the game with a groin injury and thigh strain, respectively.
Forward Beni Makouana has a thigh strain that could keep him out of the match. Sepe Elye Wahi leads Montpellier with 12 Ligue 1 goals. He is being tracked by Manchester United and Tottenham for a possible transfer in the offseason.
Although Montpellier are in good form, Marseille have dominated their head-to-head fixtures in recent seasons. Olympique should post a win on Friday night and move within four points of Paris Saint-Germain for at least a few hours.
Marseille should win 2-1 in a tight fixture. Marseille went undefeated in their last nine home games against Montpellier in all competitions.
