Ligue 1: FC Sochaux vs. Olympique de Marseille – Preview
FC Sochaux
FC Sochaux has emerged as an improved side this season, currently placed 12th in the league table. Les Lionceaux were aiming to claim a spot in the top ten team of the Ligue 1. With 16 games left to play in the season, the task in hand seems quite
possible for Sochaux.
Les Lionceaux have been surprisingly successful this season, losing only one game in front of their home supporters and playing an electrifying attacking football. The last two back-to-back defeats away from home must have hampered team’s morale. Team manager,
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Francis-c13946 Gillot, has to lift his team’s morale, as his side is slipping towards the relegation zone.
Sochaux have played 11 games at their home and won seven of them this season. Les Lionceaux holds an overall record of 22 played, 8 won, 4 drawn, and 10 lost. Gillot side will have to improve their record, as they have won only once, while playing away from
Stade Auguste Bonal.
Gillot’s side will face the Ligue 1 reigning champions, Olympique de Marseille, on Saturday in front of their home crowd. The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/RC-Lens-c40322 tactician will be looking to win this encounter and improve their standings in the league table.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-de-Marseille-c40127
The reigning champions started the season with poise to win again the French crown, but their hopes were dented by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lille-OSC-c39800 supreme performance. OM is currently placed fourth in the league table, trailing league leaders, Lille, by six points.
OM will face Sochaux in their upcoming fixture at Stade Auguste Bonal. OM manager, Didier Deschamps, is well aware of the fact that it will not be an easy game for them, as the home side is fully capable of destroying the visiting team and they have done
before. Deschamps will not forget the home side thrashing 5 – 1 victory against the third placed http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Stade-Rennais-FC-c40612. Team tactician will be hoping to bag a point in this difficult away fixture.
Deschamps said, “They are very effective at home, it is up to us to be as efficient as we have been in recent matches in the defensive sector”.
If Dechamps’ side is to keep its hopes alive for defending the title, it will surely have to overcome a strong home team.
Team News
FC Sochaux
Sochaux is hampering with injuries, as Boukary Drame, Edouard Butin, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Yassin-Mikari-c37273 all are sidelined due to injuries. Kevin Anin will watch the match from stands as sits out his suspension.
Olympique de Marseille
Julien Rodriguez, Vitorino http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mathieu-Valbuena-c24690, Cesar Azpilicueta will sit in the sideline due to injuries.
Players to watch
Modibo Maíga will be the star for Sochaux as he is the leading goal-scorer for his side.
OM shot-stopper, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Steve-Mandanda-c34177, will be looking to prevent the home side from finding the net.
Prediction
The home side has been superb throughout this season while playing at Stade Auguste Bonal. OM will fight hard to bag all three points, as they are looking to defend Ligue 1 title. It will be a hard fought match in favour of the home side 1 – 0.
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