Preview: Marseille vs. Strasbourg - prediction, team news, lineups

Strasbourg head to the Stade Velodrome sitting outside the relegation zone on goal difference, while second-placed Marseille find themselves eight points behind Paris Saint-Germain.

Match preview

Marseille's pursuit of a first Ligue 1 title since 2009-10 is still alive following a hard-fought 1-0 win at Rennes last weekend, with Sead Kolasinac's second-half goal keeping OM within touching distance of PSG.

Of course, PSG would have to suffer a monumental collapse in order to surrender top spot in the standings, but Igor Tudor's men remain in the title race with 12 games remaining this season.

Not only have Marseille won three of their last four league outings, but they have also won 10 of their previous 13, scoring at least two goals in nine of those victories.

When you look at the bigger picture, Marseille have lost just five of their 26 Ligue 1 matches this term, picking up 17 wins and four draws to keep the pressure on Les Parisiens at the top of the tree.

Having thrown away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 in the reverse fixture back in October - conceding twice in the final 15 minutes - Marseille will be eager to make amends and gain revenge on Strasbourg this weekend.

Under the guidance of their third permanent manager this season, Strasbourg are hovering just outside the drop zone thanks to their superior goal difference, although second-bottom Troyes sit only two points behind Le Racing.

Strasbourg picked up a solitary victory across their opening 18 league encounter this season, with Mathieu Le Scornet replacing Julien Stephan in the Meinau hot seat on January 9.

However, Le Scornet lasted just six games at the helm before parting ways with the club, leading to the appointment of former Metz manager Frederic Antonetti on February 15.

Strasbourg kicked off the Antonetti era with a 2-1 victory over relegation-doomed Angers but have managed to take just one point from a possible six since then, drawing 1-1 with Clermont Foot before losing 1-0 to Brest.

It goes without saying that Le Racing have endured a rocky campaign up to now, and a trip to the Stade Velodrome is not likely to steady to ship.

Marseille Ligue 1 form:

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L

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Marseille form (all competitions):

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Strasbourg Ligue 1 form:

L

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Team News

Alexis Sanchez will be hopeful of scoring his 14th goal of the season when he leads Marseille's attack against Strasbourg's leaky backline on Sunday.

Matteo Guendouzi and Jordan Veretout will offer support to Sanchez, having both bagged four goals and four assists across all competitions this term.

The hosts will have to make do without Samuel Gigot (ankle) and Amine Harit (knee), though, as the pair remain sidelined due to injury.

Strasbourg have multiple injury problems of their own, with Jean-Ricner Bellegard (ankle), Alexander Djiku (muscle), Eiji Kawashima (shoulder), Maxime Le Marchand (ankle) and Morgan Sanson (muscle) expected to miss Sunday's clash.

Having netted five goals in his last five league games - and 13 goals in 23 Ligue 1 outings this term - Habib Diallo is undoubtedly Strasbourg's biggest attacking threat.

Marseille possible starting lineup:

Lopez; Mbemba, Balerdi, Kolasinac; Tavares, Rongier, Veretout, Clauss; Under, Guendouzi; Sanchez

Strasbourg possible starting lineup:

Sels; Perrin, Nyamsi, Doukoure; Guilbert, Aholou, Sissoko, Lienard, Sobol; Gameiro, Diallo

We say: Marseille 3-0 Strasbourg

All the signs point towards a convincing win for title-chasing Marseille on Sunday, with the hosts likely to keep a clean sheet on their way to dispatching struggling Strasbourg.

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