Ligue 1’s least fearsome attack faces the division’s top scorers, as struggling Auxerre host high-flying Marseille.
Match News and Current Form
Auxerre are at risk of being cut adrift in the Ligue 1 survival battle after a run of five games without a win (D1, L4). The most recent of those was a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Strasbourg, a result that leaves them two points from safety ahead of this round. Christophe Pélissier can perhaps draw confidence from six of his team’s seven points being picked up at home (W2, L3), but that record is caveated by the fact that AJA have netted just seven goals in ten games. Their defensive record is no better after conceding at least twice in six fixtures, which is a joint-high for the division.
Opponents Marseille have been on the goal trail this season, with their tally of 24 strikes the most in the top flight, including netting at least four times in three matches! Roberto De Zerbi’s side are enduring a little bit of a wobble though, conceding a last-gasp equaliser in a 2-2 draw against Angers on Wednesday. They are now without a win in their last three games (D1, L2) in all competitions, which has knocked the Phocaeans off the Ligue 1 summit and leaves them two points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain ahead of this round.
Head-to-Head History
Auxerre’s league double over Marseille last season was their first since the 1987/88 season, which ended a nine-match winless run in H2Hs between the two sides (D4, L5).
Hot Stats and Streaks
The three first-half goals scored by Auxerre this season are a joint-league low.
Auxerre have lost each of the seven Ligue 1 matches in which they have conceded first.
Six of Marseille's previous eight away games saw over 2.5 goals.
Marseille have only trailed at half-time in one game this season, a joint-low for Ligue 1.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Lassine Sinayoko is Auxerre’s top scorer with three strikes this season, but only one of his last six goals came in a winning cause (D1, L4)! Marseille’s veteran forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is looking to end a four-game goal drought, and is most likely to do so after half-time, as seven of his last nine club goals have come following the break.
Auxerre’s Oussama El Azzouzi came off injured against Strasbourg on Wednesday. Tim Weah and Amine Gouiri remain two of the many injury concerns for Marseille, while Leonardo Balerdi is a doubt.
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Betting Analysis
The visitors should bounce back to form in a handsome manner here, so Marseille to score 2+ goals and win might add some extra value.
Author: Matt Jones