Lokomotiv Moscow – Marseille Predictions, Odds and Betting Tips – 16.09.2021

⚽ Lokomotiv Moscow – Marseille Predictions

Lokomotiv Moscow – Marseille Tips and Odds. September 16, 17:45 Europa League – Group Stage – Round 1.

Lokomotiv Moscow – Marseille Preview

• It might not be the most eye-catching European fixture, but this match will likely be one that both Lokomotiv Moscow and Marseille will feel they can win, which could make it vitally important in what looks like a potentially tight UEFA Europa League (UEL) Group E. An unbeaten start to the Russian Premier League campaign for Lokomotiv (W4, D3), and a fledgling 100% home record vs French clubs (W2), shows they could end their short European exile with three points here.
• The Russians’ last European involvement was back in 2017/18, where they topped their UEL group before being ousted by eventual winners Atlético Madrid – who ended up beating Marseille in the final! Lokomotiv missed their chance for a first-ever meeting with the French club then, but have the opportunity to impress now, and could well do so as they’re yet to lose in competitive home action during 2021.
• Potentially inspired by Lille’s 2020/21 Ligue 1 (L1) triumph, Marseille have started their domestic campaign unbeaten (W3, D1) and in exciting fashion with an average of 3.75 total goals per L1 match so far. They’re now back in Europe for a fifth UEL group stage appearance – a record for a French club – and will hope to go one better than that 2017/18 UEL final loss.
• However what may come as a surprise to some is that Marseille, France’s only previous European champions, have never topped a UEL group! That will be the aim for boss Jorge Sampaoli this time around, and grabbing a first-half opener here – as Marseille have done in three straight L1 games – would be a good start.
• Players to watch: Fedor Smolov has scored four goals across Lokomotiv’s four home league games this term, two as his side’s first scorer. Marseille’s last away match saw Bamba Dieng hit a brace in his first start of 2021/22.
• Hot streak: Marseille haven’t kept a UEL away clean sheet for 11 games.