Marseille vs. Reims: Preview, Prediction, and How to Watch | Ligue 1 Matchup

Olympique de Marseille host Stade de Reims in the first match of the season at the Vélodrome – a match during which Jonathan Rowe and Valentín Carboni could make their debuts for their new club.

Rowe signed earlier this week from Norwich City, whilst Carboni signed earlier in the window from Inter Milan. Whilst neither is expected to start against Les Stadistes, both will be hoping to get some playing time off the bench. Marseille will have to do without Faris Moumbagna, injured in the opening-day victory over Stade Brestois, and another summer signing, Ismaël Koné.

The ‘undesirables’, such as Azzedine Ounahi, Jordan Veretout, Chancel Mbemba, Samuel Gigot and Ulisses Garcia, have all been left out with OM looking to force them out.

Marseille will be looking to continue their strong start to the season, having won their opening game against Brest. They will be hoping to make a statement at home against Reims, who are looking to bounce back from a disappointing opening-day defeat to Lens. The match will be a tough one for both sides, but Marseille will be the favorites to win.

Marseille's Predicted Lineup

The predicted starting lineup for Marseille is as follows:

Gerónimo Rulli; Quentin Merlin, Lilian Brassier, Leonardo Balerdi, Michael Amir Murillo; Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Geoffrey Kondogbia; Luis Henrique, Amine Hairt, Mason Greendwood; Elye Wahi. (L’Éq)

Reims' Predicted Lineup

The predicted starting lineup for Reims is as follows:

Yehvann Diouf; Sergio Akieme, Emmanuel Agbadou, Joseph Okumu, Nhoa Sangui; Yaya Fofana, Marshall Munetsi; Keito Nakamura, Junya Ito, Valentin Atangana Edoa; Oumar Diakité. (L’Éq)

Key Players

Marseille

Mason Greenwood is a member of the team who can be a force for Marseille. The forward representing England has totaled 32 goals in 7,282 professional minutes played. Greenwood has been a starter in 81 contests in his career while he scores 0.40 goals per 90 mins. He has accounted for 10 assists while accumulating 9 yellow card cautions so far in his career.

Reims

Reims is being led onto the pitch by Junya Ito, who gets under the skin of opposing sides. The forward hailing from Japan has been on the pitch for 24,387 mins while earning 58 goals. He scores 0.21 goals per 90 mins and has started 272 contests during his pro soccer career. He has earned 23 yellow cards in his career and has assisted a teammate on a goal 65 times.

Prediction

Marseille is the favorite to win this match, and for good reason. They are a strong team with a lot of talent, and they will be playing at home. Reims is a good team, but they are not as strong as Marseille. I am predicting that Marseille will win this match by a score of 2-1.

How to Watch

The match will be broadcast live on beIN Sports.

Match Details

Game: Marseille vs Reims

Date: Saturday, August 24, 2024

Location: Orange Vélodrome in Marseille, France

TV: beIN Sports

Marseille's Performance

OM has given up 1 goal while relinquishing 1.00 goals per 90 min, and opposing clubs have compiled 7 shots on target on them. The team hasn't compiled a clean sheet for the season. Marseille has tallied 1 yellow card this year. The Olympians are 2nd in the category of goals expected having 2.4, and the expected goals against are sitting at 1.3. This season, this club sports an average of 3.00 pts per fixture (3 pts) and rank 3rd in soccer with 2 assists. The team's difference in goals is at 4 by 5 goals accumulated and also 1 goal allowed. Marseille has a total of 5 saves and also hold a save rate of 85.7 for the year.

Reims' Performance

Reims has accumulated 0 goals and this squad's xG on the year is sitting at 0.1. This team's goals against per 90 is currently at 2.00 in addition to 4 saves. For the season, the Red and Whites have a save percentage of 66.7 (6 SoTA), and rank 17th in soccer with 0 points. Reims is 15th concerning goals allowed having 2, and their goal differential is sitting at -2. The Red and Whites have recorded 2 yellow card cautions. The Red and Whites have an average of 0.0 points per match while totaling 0 assists and 1 red card.

Goalkeepers' Performance

Marseille

The man who is expected to defend the goal for Marseille will be Pau Lopez. Lopez has seen the field for 22,042 mins and has 654 saves during his pro soccer career. His GA/90 is 1.31 (321 goals conceded) and he has a save percentage of 70.4. The keeper from Spain has faced 968 shots tried at him in 243 career starting assignments. Lopez (110-53-81 record during his soccer career) has earned 62 clean sheets, which has him sitting with a 25.5% shutout percentage.

Reims

Yehvann Diouf will look after the net for Reims. He has conceded 1.18 goals per 90 minutes while earning a mark of 24-21-23. Diouf has totaled 23 clean sheets and has defended 288 shots tried against him in 6,165 career minutes. So far in his career, Diouf has given up 81 goals and has 208 saves in 68 starting assignments. He sports a save percentage of 74.7 and his shutout rate sits at 33.8%.