Although Racing Strasbourg with nine points less on the account than Olympique Marseille only to tenth place of the French Ligue 1 in the middle of no-man’s land of the table is to find the season of the kicker from Alsace to date as more successful than that of the Olympics. Finally, the troupe of Thierry Laurey won the Coupe de la Ligue and has earned the right to represent France for the 2019/20 season in the Europa League. This is something that would have been a kind of consolation to the guests from Marseille anyway. So the former Champions League winner wanted to return again to the premier class, but will probably have to do without both competitions. Also, because the Phocées have an absolutely catastrophic week behind them.
Nevertheless, in Strasbourg against Marseille, the odds of bookmakers clearly in the direction of the guests from the southeast of France, which could prevail in the first leg just 3-2 against the Alsatians. In the Coupe de la Ligue in the second round but the Olympics had failed before home crowd at the eventual overall winner on penalties. These are results that point out that Racing Strasbourg can keep up with the nine-time French champions, which is important in Strasbourg against Marseille for the forecast.
In addition, almost all of Ligue 1’s results came last weekend against the Phocéens, whose big goals are now five points off fourth place with only four games left. It is all the more interesting to give a tip on the home win of the supposed underdog at Strasbourg against Marseille.
Strasbourg:
Judging by the fact that Thierry Laurey’s troupe finished 15th in the final break of the summer break in Ligue 1 last season, the 2018/19 season is considered a major boost. Not only will the club from Alsace, nicknamed “Les Bleus” because of its club colors, as well as the Equipe Tricolore, return to the international arena for the first time in 14 years, but Racing Strasbourg has never had anything serious at any time of the season to do with the descent.
Although the current decade has made the qualification for the Europa League in the potentially simplest way, namely the overall victory in the Coupe de la Ligue, in which most top teams send only their second garrisons. Nevertheless, this was a great success for the champion of 1979, especially as “Les Bleus” on the way to the final have eliminated among other top teams such as Lille, Lyon and Bordeaux.
The win of the League Cup could certainly make for a small flight in the Ligue 1. The subsequent league game against Stade Reims was won 4-0 at home before a 2-2 draw was won away at Paris Saint-Germain, which perfectly matches results such as the 2-2 win over Lyon or 1-1 against Lille in the League and 5-1 away win at AS Monaco. In fact, “Les Bleus” have lost just one of their last eight competitive games, although in excess of draws there are “only” two wins under the last eight games.
Last time the kickers from Alsace parted scoreless from Amiens SC last weekend. Nevertheless, the relegation is long in the dust and with the Europa League in view, Racing could also have good arguments in the transfer market to hold top stars like Kenny Lala, Adrien Thomasson or Lebo Mothiba and to reinforce selectively. Strasbourg may be against Marseille, according to quotas, although the outsider, but does not need to hide from the Phocéens in any way.
Marseilles:
The last week for Olympique Marseille could not have been even more bitter. After two wins in a row over Nîmes Olympique and Guingamp, the Phocéens were close to the top four of Ligue 1 again. After the 1: 2 home defeat against FC Nantes, however, it is now again five points behind record champions AS Saint-Etienne. Eight points even on Olympique Lyon, who have yet to guest in Marseille on the following match day and against which the troupe of Rudi Garcia actually wanted to work out a kind of final for the premier class. But this train should now be worn, especially since all other results ran against the Olympics. Not only did Paris Saint-Germain lose the final to the Coupe de France against Underdog Stade Rennes, which will cause the table fifth, contrary to expectations, will not receive a right to start Europe. The Parisiens lost then also in the league against Montpellier, which also passed by Marseille.
A sobering sixth place is the reality and only an extremely narrow and slippery straw with regard to Europe remains, although the quality for international adventures with the top-class squad was actually 100% duty. So you look for names like Mario Balotelli, Dimitri Payet and Florian Thauvin in vain in most other squads of the Ligue 1. Personalities that should be difficult to hold without Europe in the hindquarters. Just Thauvin, who will probably miss again for a workout injury at the ankle against Strasbourg, could well choose his new employer and is hunted next to half of Europe, including FC Bayern Munich.
Not to mention the many young talents like Maxime López, Morgan Sanson, Boubacar Kamara or Duje Caleta-Car, who are unlikely to be able to keep up unless a miracle happens in the final sprint. It is clear that the threesome is mandatory in Alsace. Playing against Strasbourg against Marseille is still a risky business. Also, because the Phocées have lost nine of their 17 away games this season in Ligue 1 and are considered especially vulnerable in the distance.
