Marseille v Lille – Sunday 15th January – Stade Velodrome (22:00)
The French Ligue 1 returns this weekend after a 3 week end of year break. This weekend marks the first gameweek in the second round. The clash of the weekend see’s Marseille host league champions Lille.
2009/10 Champions Marseille had to settle for a runners-up medal last season after finishing 8 points behind champions Lille. After a slow start this season they have found some good form and got themselves back in the title race, which looks very open so far. They trail 3rd placed Lille by 5 points and have the opportunity to cut that lead down to 2 points. Marseille are coming off a 5-0 win in the Coupe de France match against minnows Red Star that was played last weekend, with the Ayew brothers amongst the goals. Both Andre and Jordon Ayew have left for their AFCON preparations with Ghana and will be sorely missed. However Marseille have a good squad capable of filling their gap and have also called Brazilian striker Brandao back from his loan spell at Brazilian club Gremio. Marseille have lost just 1 match at home this season and conceded only 4 goals in 10 home matches. With the absence of the Ayew brothers the quality of attacking midfielder Mathieu Valbuena will be a crucial. Valbuena was Marseille’s player of the month after getting the goal that qualified Marseille for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League. He also saved Marseille in victories against Lorient and Nancy by providing a goal and assist in each of those games.
Defending champions Lille sit in 3rd place, 4 points off log leaders PSG. They too are coming off a good win in the Coupe de France, thrashing minnows US Chantilly 6-0 to seal their place in the last 32. A stunning hat-trick from Joe Cole was further complimented by a brace from Ireneusz Jelen and an Eden Hazard penalty to earn a comfortable victory. Joe Cole has revived his career during his loan spell at Lille and his league winning experience could prove vital in Lille’s season. Midfield sensation Eden Hazard is having another great season and is their top scorer so far. Still only just 21 the Belgian has taken much of the responsibility in the team and was the key in earning Lille their first league title in 56 years. Their main problem this season is their ability to kill off teams as they did last season as they have drawn 9 of their 19 matches so far, losing just 1 all season.
Lille managed a 2-1 win in this fixture last season and won the first round encounter at home this season. The away win is tipped.
