Marseille – Panathinaikos : Preview & Prediction
Marseille have a lot to do if they are to advance to the playoffs of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) qualifying round. The French side, who are trying to reach the group stage of the tournament for the second year in a row, lost 1-0 to Panathinaikos in the first leg, registering just one shot on target and seeing Geoffrey Kondogbia sent off in the process.
It was hardly the dream start for new coach Marcelino, who took the reins in June and recorded the first win of his tenure on the opening weekend of the Ligue 1 season, when his side came from behind to beat Reims 2-1. That should give “Les Phocéens” some confidence heading into this match, where they will be looking to build on their impressive record of four wins in five home games against Greek opposition (P1).
Panathinaikos will undoubtedly make life very difficult for Marseille, as evidenced by their impressive 3-1 away win over Dnipro-1 in the previous round. However, the “Greens” do not have a great record when it comes to the third round of UCL qualifying, having fallen in this instance in three of their last four attempts, which perhaps makes the advantage they have here look fragile.
Unsurprisingly, then, coach Ivan Jovanović admits it would be a “dream” to make the playoffs and insists he “won’t change” his team’s style of play to get through. However, adapting his tactics might not be a bad idea, as the Greek side have a worryingly poor record in France, where they have not won in six previous visits (E2, P4) and alarmingly failed to score in four of those games.
Players to watch: Marseille defender Samuel Gigot looks to improve on his dismal record of never having won a game in UCL qualifying (E1, P4). Hoping to extend that streak will be Panathinaikos striker Andraž Šporar, who has scored three goals in as many European matches this season and is now unbeaten in his last 18 games in which he has scored for club or country (G14, E4).
Key stat: Marseille have never lost a home match in European qualifying (G5, E3).
Marseille – Panathinaikos : Betting Tips
Marseille – Win Odds: 1.50
