Two clubs challenging for Europe in Ligue 1 meet at the Allianz Riviera on Saturday night, when Marseille travel to Nice for the Derby de la Mediterranee.

The hosts enter the weekend up in second with an unbeaten start still under their belt, while despite a chaotic few months for Marseille, they remain in a strong position at this early stage.

Match preview

After a slightly frustrating start which saw Nice draw their first three games, they have been brilliant since.

In Francesco Farioli's first few months as manager, he has been the big revelation in French football so far this season, with OGC up in second just one point behind leaders Monaco.

It was Monaco who they beat 1-0 in the principality last month thanks to Jeremie Boga's 91st-minute strike, one of a few eye-catching results Farioli has orchestrated.

The other headline-grabbing scoreline was a 3-2 win in the capital against champions Paris Saint-Germain, while Nice have also held Lyon and Lille to draws during their unbeaten start.

In another fixture which pits them against one of last season's top six though, Nice are the favourites to keep their fine start going.

Farioli's side have not conceded in over four-and-a-half hours of action now, as that record was continued thanks to a cagey 1-0 win at Metz before the international break.

There is not much difference between their form home and away, but Nice have been a tough nut to crack at the Riviera in 2023, losing just twice - both back in April.

Marseille have not been welcome visitors of late though, as Nice have won just two of the last seven meetings between the sides here, losing 3-0 in the fixture last season.

One of those most recent meetings produced some ugly scenes though, as the league clash here in the 2021-22 season was abandoned and replayed behind-closed-doors at a neutral venue in Troyes.

Marseille will hope they do not receive such a vociferous reception again, considering how poor their recent away form has been.

OM's previous 10 away matches in all competition have yielded zero wins, four draws and six defeats, making it remarkable how they find themselves in sixth.

Despite a shocking end to the 2022-23 season, they still clinched a Champions League spot, but that concerning away form cost them as they crashed out to Panathinaikos in qualifying.

That was a true baptism of fire for Marcelino, and the Spaniard did not last long in the hotseat, with Italian World Cup winner Gennaro Gattuso taking over.

Gattuso picked up his first win in charge shortly before the international break when his Marseille side recorded a routine 3-0 win against Le Havre.

That victory ended a six-game winless run and brought the Italian his first victory after suffering defeat to Monaco and a draw with Brighton & Hove Albion in his first two outings.

While being in sixth though, Ligue 1 is incredibly tight even with eight games played, as just five points separates the relegation zone with the European places.

Any more negative results for Marseille will see multiple sides leapfrog them with Lille, Nantes and Rennes breathing down their neck especially.

Team News

Youcef Atal is unlikely to feature after Nice suspended the player following social media posts made about events in Israel and Palestine this week.

A yellow card against Metz in Nice's last fixture means midfielder Khephren Thuram will miss this game with suspension.

Thuram will join Sofiane Diop (thigh) and Antoine Mendy (knee) on the sidelines, with the duo out injured.

After three games without a goal, striker Terem Moffi may return with some additional confidence after scoring in Nigeria's win over Mozambique during the recent international break.

Marseille will be without midfielder Jordan Veretout who is absent with a thigh injury, while Samuel Gigot is doubtful in defence.

Pape Gueye remains out, serving the four-month FIFA-imposed suspension over a breach of contract from his Watford days over three years ago.

Despite a potentially must-win Europa League clash upcoming against AEK Athens in midweek, it is likely Gattuso will prioritise this encounter in terms of his team selection.

Nice possible starting lineup:
Bulka; Lotomba, Todibo, Dante, Bard; Sanson, Ndayishimiye, Boudaoui; Laborde, Moffi, Boga

Marseille possible starting lineup:
Pau Lopez; Clauss, Mbemba, Balerdi, Renan Lodi; Ounahi, Rongier, Harit; Ndiaye, Aubameyang, Sarr

We say: Nice 1-1 Marseille

Nice have been excellent so far and are proving to be a frustrating side to come up against, but their previous two performances were not wholly convincing, and they must find another gear against better opposition here.

Marseille simply do not win away, and that is unlikely to change against one of the league's most in-form sides, but they may well have enough to claim a result.


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