There are many exciting clashes to enjoy in the Europa League round of 16 this week and a high probability of goals in this game.
The match between Marseille and Villarreal will be played on the 7th of March at the Stade Vélodrome. The hosts are currently 7th in the French Ligue 1 while the visitors are in 12th place in Spain’s La Liga.
Marseille come into the game having claimed a 5-1 victory at Clermont Foot in Ligue 1 on the weekend. Despite the outcome, the scores were level at 1-1 in the second half but Marseille took the lead in the 59th minute and did not look back. Goals in the 67th, 80th, and 92nd minutes saw Marseille run out comfortable winners.
𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘂𝗽, #OMVillarreal 👊 pic.twitter.com/er2sFxDvR1— Olympique de Marseille 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 (@OM_English) March 5, 2024
𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘂𝗽, #OMVillarreal 👊 pic.twitter.com/er2sFxDvR1
The victory at Clermont means Marseille are undefeated in 5 of their 6 most recent fixtures in all competitions and have won each of their last 4 games.
The additional wins have come over Montpellier at home in Ligue 1 and Shakhtar Donetsk at home in the Europa League.
Teams form shows Marseille have not been beaten in 7 of their 8 most recent matches in the Europa League. They are undefeated in each of their last 7 home Europa League games, winning each of their last 3 Europa League encounters on home soil.
Marseille have scored at least 2 goals in each of their last 4 home Europa League games.
Villarreal travel to the Stade Vélodrome on the back of a 5-1 home victory over Granada in La Liga on the weekend.
Villarreal had the game won by the interval, leading 3-0 and scored 2 more goals inside the first 20 minutes of the second half before Granada scored a consolation goal in added time.
The win over Granada means Villarreal are undefeated in their 7 most recent fixtures in all competitions. There have been good wins at Barcelona and Real Sociedad in La Liga plus draws against Mallorca, Cadiz, and Getafe at home in the domestic league. Villarreal also picked up a point in La Liga thanks to a 1-1 draw at Alaves.
Trends show Villarreal have lost only 1 of their last 10 away Europa League matches. They have won 2 of their last 4 Europa League games on the road and have scored at least 1 goal in 8 of their last 10 away Europa League encounters.
Team news and Marseille are without Samuel Gigot, Jordan Veretout, Amir Murillo, Bilal Nadir, and Valentin Rongier due to injury.
Villarreal are definitely without the injured duo of Raul Albiol and Ramón Terrats. There are several other players who are struggling for fitness, including Ilias Akhomach, Filip Jörgensen, Eric Bailly, Santi Comesaña, Yerson Mosquera, Alfonso Pedraza, Juan Foyth, and Denis Suarez.
The visitors could have several players missing for this match and that could hand the advantage to the hosts.
Marseille will be keen to take a lead with them to Spain for the second leg and should score at least 2 goals on their way to victory, with both teams finding the back of the net.