Marseille can take a massive step toward qualification to the second round of the Europa League on Thursday night, with a win over Ajax. OM will welcome the Dutch club to the Stade Velodrome, with six points separating the two sides in Group B.
Ajax started the season in awful form but have improved in recent weeks. Still, the Amsterdam club is bottom of Group B ahead of matchday No. 5 in the Europa League.
Throwback to our last win in France. #UEL #omaja pic.twitter.com/mXA1hktFhH— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) November 29, 2023
Throwback to our last win in France. #UEL #omaja pic.twitter.com/mXA1hktFhH
Ajax can still qualify for the Europa League last-16 playoffs or the Europa Conference League. However, they need to pick up points on matchday 5 and hope the clubs in front of them drop points.
English Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion are second in the group, with seven points, just one behind Marseille in the race for the top spot. AEK Athens are third in Group B after taking four points from four games.
These teams met on matchday No. 1 in Group B. The match finished 3-3 in a goal-fest in Amsterdam. Carlos Forbes opened the scoring for Ajax and Steven Berghuis made it 2-0 after 20 minutes.
Marseille fought back, as Jonathan Clauss scored on 23 minutes. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang then scored on either side of a Kenneth Taylor goal to give Marseille a share of the spoils.
Although OM are playing well in the group stage of the Europa League, they are in peril in Ligue 1. The club has already made coaching changes this season due to poor domestic form.
Marseille are 12th in the French top flight and a mere three points above the relegation zone. Olympique go into Thursday’s home match winless in their last four matches in Ligue 1.
Ajax are now up to eighth place in the Dutch Eredivisie. Thanks to a four-match unbeaten run in the league, the Amsterdam club are moving up the table.
Their improved form could lead to a win in France and potentially overcoming their rivals for a place in the next round of the tournament.
Ajax conceded goals in each of their four previous Europa League matches. Each of Ajax’s Europa League games finished with over 1.5 goals.
Marseille scored in all four of their Europa League games. They also saw over 1.5 goals in their four fixtures.
OM may be struggling in Ligue 1, but they should continue their Europa League form with a 3-1 home win. If Brighton lose to AEK on matchday No. 5, then Marseille will qualify for the next round of the Europa League.