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

The visitors, meanwhile, are aiming to remain in third place by gaining a positive result.

Match preview

Despite being winless in six matches at the time, Troyes' decision to sack Bruno Irles prior to the World Cup in November came as something of a surprise considering that the former Monaco defender had managed to secure survival for the Ligue 1 newcomers last season following their promotion.

Former Leicester City and Leeds United defender Patrick Kisnorbo, whose only previous managerial role was with Melbourne City, has been handed the reigns in Irles's stead, with the 41-year-old getting off to a decent start with four points from his first two league matches in charge after Troyes defeated Strasbourg 3-2 last Monday.

However, they were beaten 2-0 by Lille in the French Cup on Sunday, with strikes from Jonathan David and Mohamed Bayo either side of half-time providing the hosts with a deserved victory after a dominant display from the outset.

As such, Kisnorbo will be keen to maintain his own unbeaten run in the league, although it would be fair to assert that Marseille are comfortably his toughest opponents yet since arriving in France.

Indeed, Marseille should head to Aube full of confidence having won four successive league matches, while they also secured safe passage to the next round of the French Cup with a 2-0 victory against fourth tier outfit Hyeres.

Having been dumped out of Europe altogether after finishing bottom of Group D in the Champions League, their main priority this season will be ensuring that they qualify for Europe's elite competition once again by finishing inside Ligue 1's top three positions.

With Lens stunning Paris Saint-Germain in the last round of league action, Igor Tudor's side head to Troyes four points behind Lens in second place, with the likes of Rennes and Monaco within striking distance of them among the chasing pack behind them.

Clearly, then, Marseille can not afford to rest on their recent upturn in form if they are to achieve their primary objective for the current season, especially against a Troyes side who have looked tougher to beat since returning from the World Cup-enforced break.

Troyes Ligue 1 form:

D

L

D

L

D

W

Marseille Ligue 1 form:

L

D

W

W

W

W

Marseille form (all competitions):

D

L

W

W

W

W

Team News

Troyes look set to remain without Lucien Agoume and Karim Azamoum due to injury when Marseille arrive into the north-central commune on Wednesday.

Kisnorbo changed all 10 of his outfield players for the cup defeat to Lille at the weekend, suggesting he is likely to revert to the same starting XI which defeated Strasbourg in their previous match.

Marseille, meanwhile, will travel without Nuno Tavares and Eric Bailly due to suspension, with the latter forced into having an early shower after being sent off only 15 minutes into his side's cup victory against Hyeres at the weekend.

Samuel Gigot could remain out due to concussion, while Amine Harit is not expected to play again this season after suffering a cruciate ligament rupture in Les Phoceens' last match prior to the World Cup.

Tudor only made five changes for Saturday's win in the French Cup, with Pape Gueye potentially forced into deputising in defence once again given the lack of options at the former Croatia international's disposal.

Troyes possible starting lineup:

Lis; Balde, Salmier, Palmer-Brown, Conte; Kouame, Chavalerin; Bruus, Lopes, Odobert; Ripart

Marseille possible starting lineup:

Lopez; Gueye, Mbemba, Balerdi; Clauss, Rongier, Veretout, Kolasinac; Under, Payet; Sanchez

We say: Troyes 1-2 Marseille

With Marseille missing some key defenders for this match, we can certainly envisage Troyes getting themselves on the scoresheet at some point during the encounter.

However, Marseille have looked in excellent offensive form since returning from the break, and they should narrowly secure a fifth straight league victory.

Previews by email