Olympique Marseille vs Atalanta

Marseille kicked off November on a positive note, grinding out a 1-0 win at Auxerre to stay within touching distance of Ligue 1’s top spot. That victory ended a frustrating run [LLD] which included a late 2-1 defeat at Sporting Lisbon on Matchday 3—their second European loss of the campaign. As a result, OM sit 18th in the league-phase table with three points [1W, 0D, 2L], one behind their Italian visitors. However, returning to the Stade Vélodrome could provide a timely lift for Les Phocéens, who have been formidable at home of late, losing just once in their last 15 competitive fixtures [12W, 2D, 1L]. Their previous European home match produced a statement 4-0 victory over Ajax — Marseille’s biggest win in UEFA competition since 2010. Roberto De Zerbi's side will be eager to channel that energy again, particularly as they seek to break a long-standing drought against Italian clubs. OM are winless in their last nine encounters with Serie A opposition [0W, 3D, 6L], last celebrating success back in the 2011/12 UCL against Inter Milan. Historically, these sides met only once before, in the semi-finals of the 2023/24 Europa League. That tie ended in disappointment for Les Olympiens, who were held 1-1 in France before falling 3-0 in the return leg in Bergamo. Marseille will be unable to deploy the services of Emerson Palmieri, who serves a suspension following his red card in Lisbon. The trio of Timothy Weah, Bilal Nadir, Amine Gouiri and a few others are on the treatment table. A 5—4—1 formation is expected with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang starting upfront.

Atalanta arrive in France after a 1-0 loss at Udinese last weekend in the Serie A halted a run of five straight draws [DDDDD] in all competitions. La Dea’s European record remains strong, having lost just two of their last 17 group or league-phase matches [9W, 6D, 2L], keeping seven clean sheets in their last 12 such outings. However, their struggles in France are well-documented — Atalanta have never won away on French soil [0W, 2D, 2L] and have managed only one away victory in all competitions this season. Marten De Roon, Mitchel Bakker and Daniel Maldini are ruled out, adding to Ivan Jurić's concerns. Ademola Lookman may spearhead their attacking line in a 3—4—2—1 pattern.