SUNDAY ....

LIGUE 1: OLYMPIQUE MARSEILLE - ST ETIENNE

I expect a very big performance from Olympique Marseille, in the match which signals the end of French Football for 2012.

They need three points to go back level with Lyon and PSG at the top of the table and despite winning three in a row on the road, owe their very loyal supporters a victory and performance here at the Vélodrome after losing their last two home starts, conceding seven goals in the process. No excuses tonight, they have central defender Soulemayne Diawara back in the squad and are missing just midfielder Benoit Cheyrou (16-1-0) and rightback Kasim Abdallah (9-0-0). That means a full compliment of strikers with Jordan Ayew, Remy and Gignac, plus those explosive midfield options of Amalfitano, Valbuena and Andre Ayew.

Former OM star Brandao (12-3-1) is not fit to play against his fomer club and we know how valuable his ability to hold the ball up is, especially on the road, he has not had a lot of game time this season, but Saints are 6-5-1 when he plays some part, 1-1-4 without the big front man. They are also without several long term injuries. The visitors have not scored inside 90 minutes in five starts and have a dire record at the Velodrome, being without a win ( seven defeats) in ten visits. They look to have lost their way and now that OM have their ( almost) full compliment of stars, they should be capable of ending the year on a high. 1.5 units Marseille -0.75 ball 2.12 asian line.

Marseille : Mandanda, Bracigliano, Fanni, Nkoulou, Mendes, Morel, Diawara, N'Diaye,Abdullah, Kaboré, Barton, Amalfitano, Valbuena, Raspentino, A. Ayew, J. Ayew, Remy, Gignac

St Etienne : Ruffier, Moulin,Brison, Clerc, Ghoulam, Perrin, Polomat, Zouma, Clément, Cohade, Guilavogui, Lemoine, Aleksic, Aubameyang, Gradel, Hamouma, Mayi

 

Good Luck.

 

Contact: gowi8@btinternet.com