Marseille vs Brighton: Europa League tips and odds

Belfast Telegraph

05 October 2023

Our betting expert has provided three betting tips for tonight’s Europa League Group B match between Marseille and Brighton at the Stade Velodrome (kick-off, 5:45pm BST). Read on to find out the reasoning and analysis behind his chosen selections.

Marseille vs Brighton betting tips

Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change.

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Seagulls starting to feel the pace

Brighton started the season in fine fashion with four victories from their opening five matches, overcoming the likes of Newcastle United and Manchester United, but they have been stopped in their tracks with three defeats in their last four outings.

A 6-1 thumping at the hands of Aston Villa at the weekend served as a sharp reminder of the demanding nature of trying to compete on both the domestic and European stage, which is something the Seagulls have never experienced before.

The fixture schedule doesn’t get any easier for Roberto De Zerbi’s troops, who face this away test in France before hosting Liverpool in the Premier League three days later. The physical strain on the squad has been showing of late and the imminent international break will come as a relief.

Brighton’s loss at Villa Park was their second away defeat in a row and they may find it difficult to avoid becoming the third English club after Nottingham Forest in 1961-62 and Villa in 1975-76 to lose their first two European games.

Marseille’s form doesn’t make for great reading and they head into this fixture on a five-game winless run, recording three straight draws before losing to Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco.

However, four of those matches have been away from home and a return to the Stade Velodrome, a stadium they haven’t lost at this season in normal time, could be exactly what is required to get them back to winning ways.

Marseille vs Brighton tip 1: Marseille to win @ 19/10 with BetUK

Former Blade can shine for hosts

Iliman Ndiaye made the switch from Sheffield United to Marseille in the summer and he grabbed his first goal for his new employers in the 3-2 loss against Monaco last time out.

The Senegal forward is expected to retain his place in the starting XI and he will be relishing the opportunity to take on a Brighton defence that has failed to keep a clean sheet this season.

Only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Vitinha and Ismaila Sarr have had more attempts for Marseille in Ligue 1 this term than Ndiaye, so there looks to be a good chance he will get the chance to find the back of the net.

Marseille vs Brighton tip 2: Iliman Ndiaye to have over 0.5 shots on target @ 7/5 with BetUK

Goals and cards form bet-builder selection

Both teams have shown plenty of attacking intent this season, with Marseille scoring in three of their four home games and Brighton leading the Premier League goals charts on 19.

However, defensive issues have hurt the pair and it seems plausible to suggest that both teams will end up on the scoresheet on Thursday evening.

Along with that outcome, Samuel Gigot to be carded is added to this bet builder. The French centre-back has been booked twice in five Ligue 1 appearances this season, those cautions coming in the past two games.

Joining Gigot in the book could be Brighton full-back Tariq Lamptey, who could be drafted into the starting XI should De Zerbi tweak things after the dismal defensive display at Villa.

Brighton like to push their full-backs forward and, while Lamptey offers a threat supporting the attack, his mindset can also leave the team exposed at the back and he may be forced to make a rash challenge if caught out.

The 23-year-old has picked up two yellows from just four league outings this season, of which only one was a start, and he may fall foul of the referee again.

Marseille vs Brighton tip 3: Bet builder: Both teams to score, Samuel Gigot to be shown a card and Tariq Lamptey to be shown a card @ 14/1 with BetUK

Marseille vs Brighton odds

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Marseille vs Brighton team news

Marseille

Geoffrey Kondogbia is the only player ruled out while Ndiaye is likely to retain his place after returning to the side against Monaco.

Marseille predicted line-up (4-3-3): Lopez; Clauss, Mbemba, Gigot, Murillo; Veretout, Rongier, Harit; Ndiaye, Aubameyang, Correa.

Brighton

Julio Enciso and Jakub Moder are both definitely out but although Pascal Gross, James Milner and Adam Lallana are doubts, any or all of the three could return for the game.

Brighton predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Lamptey, Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan; Dahoud, Baleba; Adingra, Pedro, Fati; Ferguson.