Ligue 1: Olympique Marseille- Bordeaux (written 09.00 UK time)

Very attractive looking game, not least because of the team news. But first, Marseille can go back to the top of the table with all three points and above hated rival PSG, which will make it all the sweeter, Bordeaux would go up to joint third with a win and just three points off the lead.

Hosts are without ever present central defender Nicolas N'Koulou and defensive midfielder Alaixys Romao who are both suspended , left back Jeremy Morel is injured and that is a LOT of defensive talent to be missing. Romao has missed two starts this season , through which OM have conceded five goals (2.5 average), just 7 in the other 11 ( 0.64 average). N'Koulou is far and away their strongest defender, he has missed just 13 Ligue 1 and European games since joining in 2011-12, they have won just one of those, against a team already relegated, drawing three and losing nine of the others !  20 yo Dorian has been added to the squad and might make his debut, three of the defenders named are aged 19-20.
 

That is not the extent of their problems, left winger Andre Ayew is out injured, he has a goal or assist in 38% of almost 200 starts and also performs defensive duties, he missed the visit from Bordeaux last year which ended 2-2 ( a repeat would definitely not surprise) striker Andre-Pіerre Gіgnac and midfielder Romaіn Alessandrіnі have both made the squad , but are said to be nursing knocks and OM look up against it today. Bordeaux have been without a couple of defenders recently, but are a little stronger in that department today, however, they  are without top scorer Cheick Diabate ( you can't have everything !).
 

I was full of praise for Bordeaux ahead of a couple of early season games, writing before a 4-1 demolition of Monaco ....

I just cannot agree with the visitors as favourites here. They opened with a 2-1 home defeat to Lorient and it is hard to see them being stronger this season, despite the return of Radamel Falcao from his long term injury.  The defence, which we focused on and discussed several times last season is old, slow and weakened today (I guess) with the loss to suspension of Ricardo Carvalho . They sold James Rodriguez (34-9-13 last season) to Real Madrid, he missed the last meeting between the two, a 1-1 draw in Monaco on the final day of last season, Bordeaux largely dictated matters there . I can see the same happening this evening and plenty of joy for the hosts in the final third, where they have too much pace for ASM. Coming into this season, the midfield was identified as a problem area for the hosts, but it was clear from their opener that this is far from the truth (see previous preview), defensively they look very solid and have only conceded 8 goals in 9 starts and in much admired keeper Cedric Carrasso have a player at the absolute peak of his powers. Upfront they rely heavily on Cheick Diabate, but looked very strong down the left flank last week and here, where I assume Monaco will be relying on returning right back Andrea Raggi, but it took him a month to find his feet last season and the alternatives look few and suspect, rather than play Fabinho last week, they preferred a player out of position and this looks an area Bordeaux can exploit, as well as the lack of pace through the middle. Hosts look good with the draw no bet option.

 

There I referred to some "previous preview" notes and what I wrote in those was .....They are coming off a 1-0 home defeat to Bordeaux, where the away side dominated in midfield, being quicker, stronger and more athletic and first to every ball, they could have been three up before the break and whilst Montpellier came more into the game after it, I feel that was more about Les Girondins sitting back and protecting their lead.

 

I suspect that people will see that Diabate is missing and have, or will , over react and the odds just look totally wrong, there could be goals and "over" is an option, but the odds look massive on Bordeaux.

1.5 units Bordeaux +0.75 ball 2.13 asian line/Sportmarket.

0.5 units Bordeaux to win @ circa 6.0 which looks a mighty fine price...........win, lose..............or draw !

 

Marseille: S.Mandanda, B.Samba – Aloé, Doria, B.Dja Djedje, Fanni, Ben.Mendy, Sparagna – Alessandrini, Barrada, Imbula, Lemina, Tuiloma – Batshuayi, Gignac, Payet, Omrani, Thauvin.

Bordeaux: J.Carrasso, Jug – Contento, Mariano, Planus, Poundjé, L.Sané, Yambéré – Badin, Kaabouni, Plasil, Sertic, Ab.Traoré – Sala, Rolan, Maurice-Belay.