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Preview: Marseille welcome LOSC

After handily defeating fellow UEFA Champions League side Stade Brestois last weekend and adding another win in that competition over Sturm Graz in midweek, Bruno Génésio's LOSC Lille will finish the 2024 portion of their Ligue 1 McDonald's season with a daunting trip to face Olympique de Marseille, who have grown into the season of late, rising to second place on goal difference ahead of the weekend's fixtures.
E. DEVIn
Published on 12/14/2024 at 03:00
2-minute read
In-form Jonathan David will look to lift Lille over Marseille tomorrow.

Limited options: not a problem?

Despite welcoming back the likes of Hákon Arnar Haraldsson in the week, Lille still will enter this match with a raft of injury concerns, not the least of which is Edon Zhegrova. The swashbuckling winger has struggled with a knock of late and isn't expected back in the current year. He'll be joined on the sidelines by another of the team's playmaking cogs, Angel Gomes. 

Despite those absences, manager Génésio remains ebullient about his team's chances, underscoring the boost of returning players, saying, "More competition since the return of the injured players is a positive, those who weren't there bring physical and mental freshness. This fuels a good working atmosphere in the squad which allows us to perform." With the team's youngsters, such as Ayoub Bouaddi and Ngal'Ayel Mukau, coming to the fore, Lille will be eager to seize a chance to potentially catapult ahead of the hosts with a win.

a strong reaction

Since a heavy loss to Auxerre, things have decidedly looked up for Olympique de Marseille. Roberto de Zerbi's side have won each of their last three Ligue 1 McDonald's matches, including a come-from-behind victory over AS Monaco. Speaking ahead of the match, midfielder Valentin Rongier was calm about the team's expectations and desired result, saying, "We aren't worried; we're in good form; the number one goal is the Champions League" 

In order to reach that barrier Marseille will have to show their best side again against a direct rival for the top four; a win will go a long way toward underscoring their ability to do as much.  

Predicted lineups:

Olympique de Marseille (3-4-3): Rulli; Murillo, Balerdi, Kondogbia; Henrique, Rongier, Højberg, Merlin; Greenwood, Maupay, Rabiot

LOSC Lille (4-2-3-1): Chevalier; Mandi, Diakité, Alexsandro, Gudmundsson; André, Mukau; Meunier, Haraldsson, Sahraoui (or Cabella); David

Read more:

>> Recap: Aboukhlal's late goal seals vital win for Toulouse 

>> Badredine Bouanani: Nice's young maverick

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