Nantes will be looking to recover after they played below expectations last weekend in the opening round of the new Ligue 1 campaign, losing convincingly to Lille. Marseille, on the other hand, performed exceptionally as they defeated their opponents Dijon, as was expected of Les Phocéens. Marseille will now be hoping to consolidate their form with another win, while Nantes will be trying to avoid falling deeper into a hole that they will find difficult to claw out of.
NANTES vs. MARSEILLE
3-Way: 1: NANTES +275; X: +252 Draw; 2: MARSEILLE +120
Spread +0.5: NANTES -125; MARSEILLE +120
Total +2.5:Over +108; Under -109
Nantes
New manager Claudio Ranieri made a terrible introduction to Ligue 1 as an exact repeat of Nantes last game of the 2016-17 season saw them lose 3:0 to Lille. Things may have gone differently for Ranieri’s side early on as striker Abdoulaye Touré saw a wonderfully attempted half-volley tipped onto the crossbar, with Préjuce Nakoulama heading the follow-up wide from just 2 yards out with the goal begging.
Nantes had another good 1-on-1 chance wasted but with a beautifully crafted slick passing move. The three goals that were scored by Lille weren’t a cause of poor defending, with the first being a 20-yard strike into the bottom right corner, although the defense may have been able to close down the goal-scorer quicker than they did (or didn’t), but otherwise Nantes couldn’t do much about the penalty or the third goal which was a quick incisive counter-attack.
As such, a 3:0 score-line may have slightly flattered Lille, but Ranieri will still have to address their lack of clinical play going forward, especially if their main centre-forward Emiliano Sala struggles to hit the ground running soon. Another concern is that, including friendlies, Nantes has failed to win their last four games, including 3 losses. Matters may be worsened against an impressive-looking Marseille and another loss could kick-start a crisis. To avoid a crisis, Ranieri will look to implement a counter-attacking style of play with a rapid forward-line, as was the tactical outlay for his Premier League winning side Leicester.
Therefore, before Nantes can obtain positive results, key forward players may first have to get a grip with the new system in order to start performing well. To aid with the new system, one may wonder why Ranieri has not dipped his toes into the market for any rapid wingers or strikers; add to that that Nantes managed just 40 goals last season and any less could result in a much lower position than last year’s 7th place finish.
Since the weekend Nantes has made just one transfer, with defensive-midfielder Guillaume Gillet departing to Olympiacos for 1 million Euros, despite appearing in all 38 Ligue 1 games last season and no replacement being signed thus far.
Claudio Ranieri will be without Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (Meniscus tear) and Kayembe (Cruciate Ligament Rupture) through injury, and no suspensions to be concerned with.
Marseille
Les Olympiens put in a thoroughly professional job as they easily dispatched Dijon FCO in a 3:0 win. After a rocky start Marseille quickly settled into the game, creating a host of chances for the remainder of the match. The pace of the game seemingly turned on its head after the introduction of Clinton N’Jie, as he replaced Dmitri Payet on the 46th minute, making an instant impact when forcing a deflected header past the goalkeeper in the 51st minute.
A second was added through Florian Thauvin, as he ran directly at a Dijon defense short in numbers, and then glided into the box to finish with a simple passing finish it into the net; although perhaps the keeper will have wished he’d have done better with his attempt at the save. Following his team’s second goal, N’Jie added a third and completed his brace from another deflected shot as it looped over the helpless goalkeeper, following a skillful close-controlled run that cut through the dumbfounded Dijon defense.
Manager Rudi Garcia will be ecstatic that new signings N’Jie and Thauvin in particular made such a great impact in their first game in Ligue 1, as their loan moves last season were made permanent over the summer which looks like a great bit of business by Marseille. It should also be noted that all six of Marseille’s new signings started and very fortunately for Marseille all seemed to play together like clockworks.
Furthermore, the three goals will be very encouraging considering they have lost the goals of Bafetembi Gomis who scored 20 Ligue 1 goals last season, who has since joined Galatasaray. Further reason for contentment will be Marseille’s slick and decisive forward movements, as well as their solid defense for the most part. Although in the coming game they will lose their home advantage, it won’t be too much of a reason for concern as Marseille hasn’t lost away since the February 12th, which coincidentally was an unlucky 3:2 loss to Nantes.
Rudi Garcia will have a full squad selection for Saturday’s match.
NANTES vs. OLYMPIQUE MARSEILLE – MATCH PREDICTION
Despite winning the last two meetings, Nantes may feel a little under-confident going into Saturday’s game as recent form has been poor. Naturally, it will take time for the players and Claudio Ranieri’s system to work in tandem, but with a little luck and the home crowd giving them confidence, Nantes has a small chance of grabbing a point.
Saying that, Marseille looks like a formidable team who could potentially challenge for the Ligue 1 title, especially as the integration of all of Marseille’s new players into the squad has so far seemed effortless, and may have even found a new talisman in Florian Thauvin. Coming into Friday’s game I would expect manager Rudi Garcia to use the policy of “if it isn’t broken don’t fix it” and keep the first XI the same as the first game, perhaps incorporating N’Jie from the kick-off this time around. This consistency in the team will translate to consistency in results and I could see them going on a long unbeaten run from here.
I am personally very fond of this Marseille team and would predict them to get their second win under the belt, but Nantes will cause trouble on the break so I would expect both teams to score.
MY PICK: Marseille to Win (+120)
Additional Pick: Both teams to score YES (-111)
