FC Sochaux vs Olympique de Marseille Preview: France Ligue 1 38e Journee 2011/12

Pre Match
May 20, 2012 8:00 PM BST
Stade Auguste-Bonal — Montbéliard

Team News

Cedric Bakambu will miss the end of the season with a torn hamstring. Sochaux hope he will be fit for the new season come August. Modibo Maiga has served his three match suspension and could come in for Slovan Privat. Edouard Butin, Jeremie Brechet, Damien Perquis and Steven Mouyokolo are still unavailable through injury.

 

Probable lineups : Richert, Roussillon,Poujol, Carlao, Sauget, Lopy, Doubai, Roudet, Martin, Boudebouz, Maiga. (4-2-3-1).

After scoring his first goal of the season Andre-Pierre Gignac will be Marseille's captain on Sunday after winning a bet with Didier Deschamps.

Stephane M'Bia could return after reaching fitness again last week, but is still a doubt.

 

Marseille will also be without Andre Ayew and Souleymane Diawara once again, as well as Nicolas N'Koulou, who has a knee injury.

 

Probable lineups : Mandanda, Azpilicueta, Fanni, Kabore, Morel, Diarra, Cheyrou, Amalfitano, Valbuena, Remy, Gignac. (4-2-3-1)

Match Facts

 

Sochaux have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 3 matches against Marseille in all competitions.

Marseille have kept a clean sheet in their last 3 matches in Ligue 1.

Marseille have failed to win their last 8 away matches in Ligue 1.

Marseille have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches against Sochaux in all competitions.

Marseille are undefeated in their last 5 matches against Sochaux in all competitions.

 

Prediction

Les Lionceaux went to Caen and steamrollered over the home side with an excellent 3-1 win putting them in a strong position to save their season, a season that at times look dead and buried.

 

Anything can happen on the last day. Marseille beat Auxerre 3-0 last week to condem l’AJA down to Ligue 2. Could Didier Deschamps side end the season sending a second team down to the 2nd tier or will l’OM already be on their holidays.

 

These two last meet in the opening day of Ligue 1 and Sochaux battled for an excellent point. Now under the guidance of Eric Hely if Sochaux could take a point against the southern giants it could be enough to stay in Ligue 1.

 

Scored :  Sochaux 1 - 1 Marseille