AJ AuxerrevsOlympique Marseille

Current Form and Tactical Overview

AJ Auxerre is currently enduring a challenging phase in Ligue 1, sitting in 11th place and struggling with an eight-game winless streak. Their recent 1-1 draw against AS Saint-Etienne highlighted their ongoing issues in securing victories. Despite having key players like Hamed Traor and Gaetan Perrin contributing to their goal tally, Auxerre's defensive frailties remain a significant concern. With only six clean sheets in 23 matches, their defensive vulnerabilities are evident. Injuries to key players such as Nathan Buayi-Kiala and Lasso Coulibaly, along with fitness concerns for Kevin Danois and Hamed Traor, further complicate their situation.

Olympique Marseille, on the other hand, is navigating a period of inconsistency under Roberto De Zerbi. Despite being second in the Ligue 1 table, their recent 2-0 loss to Nice underscores their form issues. Marseille's attacking prowess is notable, averaging 2.15 goals per game, but injuries to key players like Amine Harit and defensive doubts such as Chancel Mbemba could impact their lineup. Marseille's resilience is evident in their ability to score in 96.15% of their matches, with Mason Greenwood and Luis Henrique leading their scoring charts.

Head-to-Head and Historical Context

Historically, matches between AJ Auxerre and Olympique Marseille have been closely contested. In their last 41 meetings, Marseille has a slight edge with 18 wins compared to Auxerre's 12. However, Auxerre won both encounters last season, including a convincing 3-0 victory at home. Despite this, Marseille's recent form, with a five-match winning streak in Ligue 1, suggests they are the stronger side currently.

Tactical Predictions and Key Factors

Given the current form and tactical setups, Marseille is likely to dominate possession and exploit Auxerre's defensive weaknesses. Marseille's ability to score late in matches, with 41% of their goals coming between the 76th and 90th minutes, could be pivotal. Auxerre's home advantage is mitigated by their poor recent form and injury concerns.

Final Prediction

Considering all factors, Olympique Marseille is favored to win this encounter. Their superior attacking options and recent form give them the edge over a struggling Auxerre side. However, given both teams' tendencies to score, it's likely that both teams will find the net. The prediction is for an away win with both teams scoring.