http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Lorient-c39153 vs. Olympique de Marseille – Ligue 1 Preview
Stade du Moustoir will see Lorient host reigning Ligue 1 champions, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-de-Marseille-c40127, on May 15, 2011. The game is a must-win for Didier Deschamps’ Marseille as a defeat would surely end his side’s already-slim chances of defending La Championnat.
The 2010 champions are currently four points behind LOSC Lille in the Ligue 1 standings with just three games left to play in the 2010/11 season. On Saturday, Lille will be playing Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the Coupe de France. Les Phoceens can
momentarily cut the deficit to just one point in order to keep their title hopes alive.
On Wednesday, Marseille beat Brestois 3-0 at home and consolidated their spot for automatic qualification for next season’s edition of UEFA Champions League. On the same day, Lyon were thrashed 4-0 at Auxerre while PSG drew 2-2 to Nancy, two results that
have given Marseille a firm grip on the second spot in the league. With Lille winning 2-1 at Saint-Etienne last Tuesday, the title race is tilting in Lille’s favour.
However, Deschamps is not giving up hope and while talking to the media, the Frenchman said, "It was a very good result, especially when you look at what happened in Auxerre and with PSG. We are a little safer in second place now. Lille's win at St Etienne
did not massively affect us. We expected them to win there, and we can keep dreaming for the moment, although at the same time we have to be realistic and acknowledge that our chances of winning the title now are remote.''
Lorient, on the other hand, are seventh in Ligue 1 standings and have drawn their last five games at the Stade du Moustoir. Though http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Christian-c9045 Gourcuff’s team is still four points shy of the final European place, defender Lamine Kone is motivated for Sunday’s
game.
While talking to the media, the Frenchman said, "The people of Marseille are desperate to win. We have this place in the Europa League to go for.” On Wednesday, Lorient lost 3-1 to Montpellier Herault, a defeat that has made European qualification a tricky
task for Les Merlus.
Player Watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kevin-Gameiro-c20721 (Lorient)
The 24-year-old striker has been in sublime form for Les Merlus this season. The highly-rated striker has already found the net 20 times for his club in the league. The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 International is rumoured to be leaving the Bretagne club in the summer. With
Marseille, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 and Borussia Dortmund all looking to bring in the prolific striker, the club would be expecting the player to put on a great show for the club in the last three games of the season before leaving the club in the summer.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Taye-Taiwo-c34728 (Marseille)
The Nigerian International will be leaving his beloved Marseille by the end of the campaign. In the summer, he will be joining Italian Serie A giants AC Milan on a bosman move. The left-back has been in fine form for his club once again this season and has
proven to be a big game player. After helping Marseille win the Coupe de La Ligue last month, Taiwo would be looking to end his six-year stay at the club on a strong note by helping Marseille lift the Championnat – should Lille slip up.
Predictions
Lorient have proven a difficult team to break down when played at their home. A dull draw might be on the cards in this encounter which could mean curtains for Marseille’s hopes of winning the Ligue 1 title.
Predicted final score: Lorient 0-0 Marseille
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