Marseille vs Strasbourg predictions: Hosts can prevail at Stade Velodrome
- Marseille have won six of their last eight games
- Eight of Marseille's league fixtures this season have been draws at half-time
- Recommended Bet: Draw-Marseille double result
Marseille are part of the Champions League chasing pack in Ligue 1 this season but they have work to do heading into their first match of 2024.
After a turbulent start to the campaign, things have started to settle for Gennaro Gattuso's men and they are only six points adrift of third-placed Monaco.
As for Strasbourg, they finished last year on a high, winning three straight matches, and they could make for tough opponents on Friday night.
Team news
Marseille have been hit hard by the Africa Cup of Nations with Amine Harit, Papa Gueye, Ismaila Sarr, Azzedine Ounahi, Chancel Mbemba, Iliman Ndiaye and Simon Ngapandouetnbu all away at the tournament.
The hosts will also be without captain Valentin Rongier who is recovering from knee surgery, while Joaquin Correa is fighting to be fit.
Strasbourg's Saidou Sow is off to AFCON with Guinea while Lucas Perrin is back from suspension.
The stats
Marseille have won four of their last five games in Ligue 1 with three of those victories having come at the Stade Velodrome.
And they have trailed at the break only twice in the league this campaign.
As for Strasbourg, they are mid-table in Ligue 1 with six wins, five draws and six defeats from their 17 matches.
Prediction
Marseille have started to find their feet under Gattuso after a tricky run on and off the pitch and they will be expected to record three points at the Stade Velodrome on Friday.
Not only have they won four of their last five games in Ligue 1 but they have also won six of their last eight matches in all competitions, failing to beat only Montpellier and Brighton as part of that run and both of those games were on the road.
Indeed, Marseille have not lost on home soil in the league this term and they can edge closer to the top three with victory over Strasbourg.
The visitors, however, have been a tough nut to crack recently.
They are unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions, winning four of them against Le Havre, Lorient and Lille in the league and Avoine in the French Cup.
Marseille will represent a step-up in quality and they can come out on top but it could be a slow burner with Strasbourg capable of holding firm until the break.
With that in mind, punters should look to back a draw at half-time and a Marseille win after 90 minutes.
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