Marseille – Salzburg Prediction & Picks (26.04.2018)

Olympique Marseille and Salzburg meet at Stade Vélodrome, in a match for this phase of the UEFA Europa League (Semi-finals). In the last 3 years there is only record of 2 direct confrontations between these two teams: one on 07-12-2017, which ended in a draw by (0-0), and another more recent on 28-09-2017, which ended in a Salzburg win by (1-0). The Salzburg presents considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor, so in this game the home factor may be decisive.

Marseille:

Until reaching this stage of the UEFA Europa League (Semi-finals), the home team eliminated: RB Leipzig, Athletic Club and Sporting Braga. This is a team that usually maintains its competitive levels in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 8 wins, 2 draws and 5 losses in away matches; against 9 wins, 5 draws and 1 loss at their stadium. In the last match they played, for the League 1, they beat Lille at home (5-1). In the last 8 home matches for the UEFA Europa League Olympique Marseille has won 7 and tied 1.

For this competition, he does not lose in his stadium 8 games ago. The team allowed goals to the opponent in 8 of the last 10 matches for this competition, so it has not been very strong defensively. In their home matches for this competition there is a tendency for goals, since 6 of the last 8 matches have ended with Over 2,5 goals. In 16 matches in this competition, they only got 2 comebacks in the 8 games in which they suffered the first goal.

The Olympian Marseille left for this game with a home win against Lille, 5-1, adding the third successive win in several competitions. We remember that the locals beat Leipzig in the last tie of the Europa League. In this match at home, coach Rudi Garcia must act in 4-2-3-1, privileging the possession of ball and organized attacks, leisurely, using the wings to create danger: Thauvin and Ocampos are the fastest players of the local. Of note that Ocampos is the best finalist of the Olympic of Marseille in the Europa League, with 4 goals scored. For this game the local coach can not count on Mandanda, Kamara and Sakai, all injured.

Salzburg:

Until reaching this phase of the UEFA Europa League (Semi-finals), the visiting team eliminated: Lazio, Borussia Dortmund and Real Sociedad. 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 7 wins, 6 draws and 2 losses in away matches; against 13 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss at their stadium. The team comes to this match after a home win against Rheindorf Altach by (3-1). In the last 7 UEFA Europa League away matches, the Salzburg team has won 3, tied 3 and lost 1. Their offense has scored frequently, since they have scored goals in 7 of the last 10 matches for this competition.

The Salzburg comes to this game with a victory over Altach, 3-1, adding the fourth game in a row without losing in several competitions. To get to this stage, the visitors eliminated Lazio in great style. Usually, coach Marco Rose plays with four players in the defensive sector, four in the middle and two in the offensive sector. It is important to emphasize that the visitors present some gaps in the air play and in the defensive organization. Dabbur and Berisha are the best scorers of Salzburg in the Europa League, with 5 goals scored each. For this game the coach can count on all his players.