Originally a rivalry marked by sportsmanship, the derby between Lyon and Marseille has recently soured, resulting in Marseille fans being banned from attending due to past incidents.
In the last two years, players like Dimitri Payet and former Lyon coach Fabio Grosso have been struck by objects during matches, leading to postponements and games being played without spectators.
Consequently, Marseille fans won’t be present to witness if their team can secure back-to-back wins at the Groupama Stadium, having recently broken a 17-game winless streak against Lyon. A late own goal by Malo Gusto gave Marseille a 2-1 victory last season in a city where they have struggled historically. However, they come into this match as favorites, bolstered by an unbeaten start to the season.
Marseille is currently second in the league, trailing only Paris Saint-Germain, who are perfect so far but will face European commitments throughout the season, unlike Marseille. Under coach De Zerbi, the team has adopted an attack-first approach, scoring 12 goals in their first four games. Their goal is to challenge PSG for the title and end a 15-year trophy drought, setting up an exciting clash on October 27.
Lyon, on the other hand, has not had the desired start to their season, losing their first two matches to Monaco and Rennes. However, they secured a thrilling 4-3 win over Strasbourg and managed a goalless draw against Lens, providing some much-needed confidence.
Historically, Lyon has bounced back after slow starts, often qualifying for European competitions after similar openings. Nonetheless, their defense has been shaky, conceding 15 goals in their last seven league games at home, which could be a vulnerability against a potent Marseille attack.
**Team News**
Lyon’s new signing Wilfried Zaha is yet to debut due to injury concerns, while former Marseille player Jordan Veretout could face his old team after recently joining Lyon. Gift Orban, who made a strong impression in his last match, is expected to start again.
Marseille will be without Derek Cornelius, who received a red card in their last game. Leonardo Balerdi may step in to bolster the defense, although left-back Quentin Merlin remains sidelined. Coach De Zerbi may stick with Neal Maupay, who scored in his debut, and new signing Adrien Rabiot is likely fit to play.
**Predicted Lineups**
Lyon: Perri; Mata, Caleta-Car, Niakhate; Maitland-Niles, Caqueret, Matic, Tolisso, Abner; Orban, Lacazette
Marseille: Rulli; Rongier, Balerdi, Brassier, Murillo; Kondogbia, Hojbjerg; Greenwood, Harit, Luis Henrique; Maupay
**Prediction**
We predict a close match with Lyon potentially losing 1-2 to Marseille. Despite the intense atmosphere and Lyon’s home advantage, Marseille’s strong form and attacking prowess should give them the edge.
