Lille vs Marseille Prediction: Stalemate looks the sensible play

It's fourth versus third in Ligue 1 on Friday (20:00 GMT, Ligue 1 Pass) as Lille take on Marseille at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. The hosts are currently three points behind the visitors but they have won two games on the spin.

Read on for my Lille vs Marseille predictions, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Marc-Aurele Caillard is still nursing an elbow injury for Lille. The hosts are also missing Ousmane Toure due to a cruciate ligament tear he sustained against Brest in August.

Defender Alexsandro is nearing a return to fitness following a problem with his leg that has kept him sidelined for over two months. Midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi will also miss this crunch clash as he is suspended.

Football Odds

Marseille duo Hamed Traore and Michael Murillo are also suffering with leg injuries and they will sit out of Friday's contest. The visitors are also likely going to be without the services of Amine Gouiri and Facundo Medina due to back and ankle issues respectively.

Forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has five goal involvements in his last three league appearances and he should continue in attack.

Today's Football Fixtures

Lille vs Marseille Odds

Lille have won their last three league games at home and they are 8/5 (implied probability of 38.5%) to win this clash.

They have experienced one stalemate here, which came against Paris Saint-Germain, and the draw on this occasion is valued at 12/5.

Marseille are also 8/5 to come away with the three points and they have prevailed on their last past two away trips in Ligue 1.

Aubameyang is 7/4 to score his sixth league goal of the campaign at anytime during this clash.

Match Result - Draw @ 12/5

This is a very exciting battle on paper. Just three points separate the two teams coming into the weekend and they are two of the best-performing sides in the division. The visitors are unbeaten in five league matches ahead of this trip and Lille are on a two-game winning streak.

Marseille are the leading scorers with 35 and Lille are second in those rankings with 28. They both have a lot of quality in the final third and this game may be settled by the individual talents in attack on both sides.

But this may in fact lead them to cancelling one each other out. They both know the attacking quality the other possesses, so both sets of defences will be in line for their toughest task of the season to date.

Three of the previous four meetings between the two teams have ended level, and this is increased to four in five when counting January's Coupe de France encounter. I'm going to stick with this trend and sit on the fence and say draw - but it should be an entertaining one at least.

Both Teams To Score - Yes @ 8/15

As I mentioned before, with the two highest-scoring teams in the league facing one another, goals should be a formality in this game. There are lots of attacking players who can step up and deliver in such a big game, so I think backing both teams to get on the scoresheet is a smart play for Friday.

There have been goals at both ends in seven of Marseille's 14 league matches this campaign, including three of their seven away trips. Two of their previous three road trips in the top flight have seen both teams get on the scoresheet.

For Lille, this market has landed in four of their seven home fixtures, including three of their past four. Additionally, BTTS - Yes has landed in each of the last three home meetings with Marseille.

Football - 2 Up Early Payout

Pre-Match bets on the 2 Up Early Payout market in selected games. Paid as a winner within 5 minutes if your team goes 2 goals ahead. Selected leagues only. 90 mins only. T&Cs Apply.

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.