Ath Bilbao – Marseille Prediction & Picks (15.03.2018)

Athletic Club and Olympique Marseille meet at San Mamés Barria, in a return leg for this phase of the UEFA Europa League (8th Finals), after the victory at home of Olympique Marseille by (3-1) in the first leg . The record of recent direct confrontations between these two teams could not be more balanced, since there was 1 draw and 1 win for each team in the last 3 matches they played. Olympique Marseille has considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor, so in this game the home factor may be decisive.

Athletic Club:

The home team comes to this second leg with a disadvantage of 2 goals, but with the advantage of having scored 1 goal as a visitor in the first leg. This is a team that usually maintains its competitive levels in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 4 wins, 5 draws and 6 losses in away matches, with 19 goals scored and 23 conceded; against 5 wins, 7 draws and 3 losses at their stadium, with 14 goals scored and 11 conceded. In the last match they played, for the First Division, they beat CD Leganés at home by (2-0). In the last 6 home matches for the UEFA Europa League Athletic Club has 4 wins and 2 losses. Their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 8 of the last 10 matches for this competition. In 13 games in the competition, suffered the first goal 5 times, but got the comeback in 2.

The Athletic Bilbao leaves for this party with a victory in house against the Leganés, by 2-0, returning to the triumphs after three official parties without winning. It is important to underline that in the first leg of this tie, the Spanish team lost against Marseille, 3-1, however, the goal scored away from home gives some hope. Normally coach Cuco Ziganda plays in 4-2-3-1, benefiting possession of the ball and organized attacks, especially through the flanks. Of note that Aritz Aduriz is the great star of the Spanish team, with 19 goals scored in several competitions. For this game the local coach can not count on Mikel San Jose, suspended, in addition to Balenziaga, Muniain and Mikel Rico, these by injury.

Olympique Marseille:

The away team comes to this second leg with a 2-goal lead, but suffered 1 goal at home in the first leg. This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 6 wins, 5 draws and 4 losses in away matches, with 28 goals scored and 17 conceded; against 10 wins and 5 draws in their stadium, with 34 goals scored and 11 suffered. The team comes to this match after a win away with Toulouse by (1-2). In the last 6 away matches for the UEFA Europa League, Olympique Marseille drew 3 and lost 3.

For this competition, they have not won any of the last 6 away matches. In 13 matches in this tournament, they suffered the first goal 6 times and only managed 1 comeback.

The Marseille is going through a very irregular moment in the season, when it added four consecutive games without winning, however, comes to this game with two wins, one of them in the first leg of this tie of the Europa League. In the last match played, Marseille won away from home to Toulouse, 1-2. In this match against Athletic Bilbao, coach Rudi García must keep the team in 4-2-3-1, with Germain being the team’s most offensive reference. On the other hand, Florian Thauvin is the best score of Marseille in all competitions, with 18 goals scored. For this game the coach can count on the usual holders at his disposal.