Marseille vs Ajax Prediction: Home side edge closer to qualification

Two troubled clubs trying to find their way this season meet again on Thursday evening (20:00), as Marseille host Ajax at the Stade Velodrome.

The first meeting between the pair took place on matchday one of the 2023/24 Europa League group campaign, with the sides playing out a pulsating 3-3 draw in Amsterdam. Since then, Ajax have taken just one more point and only a win in France will give them a chance of making the UEL knockouts.

Like Ajax, Marseille have endured a disastrous league season so far, but the comparisons end there as Les Phoceens remain unbeaten in Group B after taking eight points from their first four games.

Team News

Valentin Rongier underwent knee surgery earlier this month so he will miss the next few months of action, while Pape Gueye has been suspended since the start of the season. Ismaila Sarr and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are options in attack if Gennaro Gattuso opts to make changes from the 1-1 draw at Strasbourg on Saturday.

Interim boss John van 't Schip could name an unchanged XI after Ajax thrashed Vitesse 5-0 on the weekend, though Josip Sutalo and Brian Brobbey will be pushing for starts if they can pass fitness tests.

Match Odds

Marseille are strong favourites for this one at 8/13, with Ajax priced at 4/1. The draw is available at 16/5.

Both teams to score is 8/13 and over 2.5 goals is 4/7 after the 3-3 draw these sides played out on matchday one.

Draw @ 16/5

Ajax look to have turned a corner under van 't Schip, winning three and losing just one of his five games in charge. Realistically, the UEL play-offs are probably beyond the reach of the Dutch club, but they are still in with a good chance of placing third which would see them drop into the Europa Conference League. That should spur them on in this game against a side who are yet to lose at the Velodrome this season.

Marseille are not unstoppable at home, though. Of the eight games they have played there this term, they have drawn three, which have all come in their last five. A stalemate may end up suiting Marseille, as it will be enough to qualify them from the group if AEK fail to beat Brighton, while the Seagulls need to win to go above the French side.

Correct score - 2-2 @ 12/1

If you do fancy the draw, backing a 2-2 scoreline will offer even more value. Both clubs have been involved in two goalscoring draws in the Europa League, with Marseille sharing four goals with Brighton last month.

Gattuso's side have conceded six times in the group so far, keeping just one clean sheet, while Ajax are yet to record a shutout in the competition and have been involved in 11 games where both teams have scored - five of them have ended in draws, including a couple of 2-2's.

Marseille have also drawn by that scoreline twice, and just like the first meeting between these sides in September, there should be goals again on Thursday.

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