Unable to beat Sporting Lisbon in the previous match, Tottenham put themselves in a risky situation during their visit to France.
Marseille vs Tottenham Preview
Marseille : Absence of Eric Bailly (injury).
Tottenham: Absence of Richarlison (injury); Dejan Kulusevski and Cristian Romero’s ability to play is still open.
Marseille vs Tottenham Hotspur Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
– Marseille won only 1/6 of the last matches in all competitions (won 1, drew 1, lost 4).
– Tottenham only won the last 1/4 matches in all competitions (won 1, drew 1, lost 2).
– In the first leg, Tottenham beat Marseille with a score of 2-0.
Group D Champions League this season does not have the presence of big names but is the most fierce group. Because of that, after 5 matches, this group has not yet determined the next team. The gap between the top team and the bottom team is only 2 points. That also means that in the final match tonight, all 4 teams have the right to decide in their hands.
Tottenham are holding the biggest advantage because they have won 8 points after 5 matches, 1 point more than the 2 following opponents (Sporting Lisbon and Eintracht Frankfurt). In the final match tonight, because Sporting and Eintracht Frankfurt meet directly, Spurs only need a draw against Marseille to put their name in the 1/8 round.
Meanwhile, Marseille is in the most difficult situation. Due to winning only 6 points, the French port city team only had a chance to win to decide on their own tickets to the round of 16. Because of that, the rematch between Marseille and Tottenham at the Velodrome tonight is forecast to be very tense and unpredictable.
In the previous match, Tottenham had to work very hard to hold Sporting with a score of 1-1 at home. This match was controversial when VAR denied Harry Kane’s goal in injury time. Coach Antonio Conte has reason to be angry because the referee’s decision caused Spurs to miss the early ticket. And in the decisive match tonight, they put themselves in a dangerous situation.
Tottenham’s task is the easiest of the four teams, but it is difficult to predict what because Marseille has been pushed into a corner. It is even more difficult for Spurs when they have to play away in the decisive match.
Conte used to be very proud of his solid defense. But this season, Tottenham have not shown the tight play as required by the Italian military leader. Spurs’ problem was evident in the match last weekend when they had to work hard upstream to beat Bournemouth in a 2 goal lead. This was the 4th match in a row in all competitions the North London team could not keep a clean sheet.
Tottenham’s second weakness is a very unstable performance away from home. Not far away, in both away matches played in the Champions League this season, Conte’s teachers and students did not win (lost to Sporting and drew with Eintracht Frankfurt). In the last 7 away matches in all competitions, Spurs only triumphed twice.
With such statistics, it is not difficult to understand when coach Conte expressed concern. He has warned his students no less than once about the dangers that may come during his visit to the Velodrome tonight.
In the first leg, Tottenham gently overcame Marseille 2-0 thanks to a brace from Richarlison. But currently, the Brazilian striker is recovering from an injury and has not yet scheduled a return date. Kulusevski has not been able to play again. In that context, Conte constantly had to use the Kane – Son duo.
Marseille had a bad start in the Champions League this season, losing both opening matches. But in the next 2 matches, the French port city team suddenly won 2 victories over Sporting Lisbon to keep the hope of going on.
Fortunately for Tottenham, currently, Marseille is not in the best form. Over the weekend, the weakness of the defense caused Igor Tudor’s teachers and students to be held to a draw by Strasbourg despite leading by 2 goals. This was the 4th match in a row in all competitions Marseille could not triumph.
Tonight, Conte will meet Igor Tudor, his former teammate in the Juventus shirt. Former Arsenal players like Kolasinac, Guendouzi, Tavares or Alexis Sanchez also had an interesting rematch with Tottenham. With the nature of the battle, this is still an unpredictable competition before the final whistle. Fortunately, Conte’s teachers and students only needed 1 point.
Marseille possible starting lineup:
Lopez; Mbemba, Balerdi, Kolasinac; Clauss, Rongier, Veretout, Tavares; Guendouzi, Payet; Sanchez
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Sanchez, Dier, Lenglet; Doherty, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Perisic; Lucas, Kane, Son
