Payet to play for OM in rotation?
RC Strasbourg Alsace – Olympique de Marseille
– Kick off: 20:00 GMT
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Marseille had been the leaders and closest pursuers of Paris Saint-Germain for much of this season, but a recent wobble saw them drop to fifth in Ligue 1 Uber Eats.
Igor Tudor’s men have lost each of their last three Uber Eats Ligue 1 games – against AC Ajaccio, PSG and most recently RC Lens – by one goal, and they lost by the same margin against Barcelona. ‘Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
The fate of OM on both fronts remains in his hands. They are just four points behind second-placed RC Lens, and a win over Tottenham next week would earn them their ticket to the Champions League Group D knockout stages.
Look: The best moments of Marseille’s 1-0 loss to Lens
“They were strong, they created problems, but so did we,” Tudor said of the Frankfurt game. “We have a final to play in six days, so we don’t have to worry too much. It will be the match of the year. For the fans, it will be magnificent. We can be proud of the way we’ve done. play.”
Tudor may not want to overthink it, but some rotation is to be expected. Payet remains more than talented to send OM past Strasbourg, and he could be joined in the final third by Bamba Dieng who is ineligible for Europe this season but scored in the relevant game last season.
Tudor’s hand is forced to the rear. Eric Bailly has a leg injury and Samuel Gigot is suspended, so expect to see Leonardo Balerdi play in the heart of defense with Sead Kolasinac invited to replace the left centre-back. Valentin Rongier a warning away from suspension and could be rested.
Strasbourg teeters precariously above the relegation places with the same number of points (12) as Stade Brestois 29, AJ Auxerre, AC Ajaccio and Angers SCO below.
Saturday’s hosts held Toulouse FC to a 2-2 draw last time out but did well to come back 2-0 down to claim a share of the spoils.
Look: Highlights of Strasbourg’s 2-2 draw at Toulouse
Ludovic Ajorque’s recent injuries haven’t helped them, but in Kévin Gameiro and Habib Diallo, they have a leading two that could catch OM. Gameiro was framed against Toulouse, as was Lebo Mothiba.
“Marseille are a Champions League club with a very large squad,” said Tudor counterpart Julien Stephan. “They are two, sometimes three, in their positions, with players coming from big European teams like Roma, Porto, Manchester United or Arsenal. It’s a big team with great players. We expect a very hard.”
Defensive midfielder Ibrahima Sissoko could be preferred to striker Adrien Thomasson but the first eleven of racing is chosen differently with Nordine Kandil (foot) and Karol Fila (groin) joining Ajorque on the sidelines.
Possible teams
Strasbourg: salts; Djiku, Nyamsi, The Merchant; Dagba, Sissoko, Prcic, Bellegarde, Liénard; Gameiro, Diallo
Marseilles: Lopez; Mbemba, Balerdi, Kolasinac; Kabore, Guendouzi, Veretout, Clauss; Under, Payet; Dieng