Overview
The race for 3rd place in Ligue 1 is becoming increasingly fierce as it enters the final stage of the season, with at least 5 teams competing fiercely. Currently, there is only a 5-point gap between Marseille, Lyon, Lille, Monaco and Rennes.
From unstable form, Monaco has broken away strongly when winning all 6 recent matches in the league - a achievement that no other team has achieved. In the most recent match, they defeated Lyon 2-1 thanks to goals in the second half from Maghnes Akliouche and Folarin Balogun, thereby continuing to affirm their attacking power.
Sebastien Pocognoli's team has scored at least 2 goals in the last 8 matches in all competitions. Only twice have they failed to win in this streak in the two UEFA Champions League play-offs against Paris Saint-Germain.
A victory this weekend not only helps Monaco consolidate their position in the European race, but also marks their seventh consecutive victory in Ligue 1 - something they have only done three times in history. The Principality team is even more confident as they have won all 4 recent home matches in the domestic league.
On the other side, Marseille has just suffered their second defeat in 5 Ligue 1 matches under Habib Beye, who replaced Roberto De Zerbi. Besides, Marseille has also just been eliminated from the Coupe de France after a home defeat to Toulouse.
However, returning to the away field brings some encouragement to the port city team, as they just had their last clean sheet victory. However, conceding at least 2 goals in the previous five away games shows the defensive problems they face.
Notably, Marseille has lost all 5 away matches against teams in the top 7 this season, and also has a poor record when playing away at Monaco with nine defeats in the last 14 times (4 wins, 1 draw).
However, Les Phoceens still have a basis to be confident thanks to the 1-0 victory in the first leg at the beginning of the season, thereby nurturing hopes of completing a double against Monaco in Ligue 1 for the first time since the 2007-2008 season.
Personnel situation
AS Monaco is facing many problems in defense before this match, as a series of players are at risk of being absent.
Two full-backs Caio Henrique and Vanderson are still sidelined due to thigh injuries. Center-back Mohammed Salisu continues to recover from a serious knee injury, while attacking midfielder Takumi Minamino is also facing a similar problem.
In the opposite direction, Aladji Bamba has been confirmed to be eligible to play. In addition, Paul Pogba has returned to light training after a long break and even played in a friendly match with the U23 Brentford team.
In attack, Monaco is likely to continue to place their trust in Folarin Balogun, as the US international is in impressive form with a scoring streak in 5 consecutive matches in Ligue 1.
On Marseille's side, they will be without their main striker Mason Greenwood due to both physical problems and suspension for accumulating enough yellow cards.
This opens up opportunities for Ethan Nwaneri, a player who has had difficulty in winning a starting spot since joining on loan in January. However, he entered this match with confidence after scoring against Lille and positive performances in the recent national team gathering.
In addition, defender Nayef Aguerd is still unable to return because he is in the process of recovering from a groin injury surgery.
Expected lineup:
Hradecky, Zakaria, Faes, Kehrer, Adingra, Camara, Bamba, Teze, Akliouche, Golovin, Balogun.
Rulli, Emerson, Balerdi, Medina, Weah, Kondogbia, Hojbjerg, Paixao, Timber, Nwaneri, Gouiri.
The match between AS Monaco and Marseille takes place at 1:45 am on April 6 (Vietnam time).
