The Champions League games come thick and fast this season and we are already into the second round of group matches. On Tuesday the 27th of November Marseille welcome Manchester City to the Stade Vélodrome in Group C.
The hosts begin the game in 3rd place in the group without a point to their name while Manchester City sit top on 3 points.
Marseille started their Champions League with an away fixture against Olympiakos in Greece. It was a disappointing performance by the French club who would have been hoping to at least take a point from the match. Instead they slumped to a 1-0 defeat, conceding a goal in the 90th minute of the game.
Marseille responded to the loss by picking up maximum points in Ligue 1 on the weekend. They defeated Lorient 1-0 away from home to extend their unbeaten run in the French League to 5 games.
However, their recent record in the Champions League has been poor.
Trends show Marseille have lost each of their last 10 matches in the competition. Even at home they have found it difficult to when games in the Champions League and they have tasted victory only once in their last 7 at the Stade Vélodrome, losing the other 6 games.
There have been over 2.5 goals and both teams have scored in each of Marseille’s last 3 home Champions League matches.
Manchester City began their pursuit of the Champions League trophy with a 3-1 home victory against Porto. Pep Guardiola’s team found themselves a goal down after only 14 minutes of the match but quickly found a way back into the game from the penalty spot. The first half ended 1-1 but Manchester City took the lead thanks to an excellent free kick in the 65th minute and made sure of the points 8 minutes later.
However, their difficult start to the Premier League continued on the weekend as Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw at West Ham United. That result leaves them in the bottom half of the table and with plenty of work to do if they are to win the title this season.
Trends show Manchester City have won 4 of their last 5 Champions League games with the only match they failed to win coming in the knockout stages against Lyon last season. They have been difficult to beat away from home and Manchester City have lost only one of their last 9 away games in the competition.
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in each of their last 4 away Champions League matches plus both teams have scored in each of their last 3 on the road.
Team news and Marseille should be close to full strength for this game. Florian Thauvin is the danger man for the hosts.
Manchester City travel without Aymeric Laporte, Benjamin Mendy, Fernandinho, Gabriel Jesus, and Sergio Aguero as the injury problems continue to mount for Guardiola. Nathan Aké could be available following a groin injury.
Both teams have the ability to find the back of the net in this game. However, Manchester City are much the stronger team and should come away with a good victory. We could also see over 2.5 goals scored.