MARSEILLE VS ATH BILBAO PREVIEW & PREDICTION
One of the most balanced matches in the last sixteen of the Europa League is between Olympique Marseille and Athletic Bilbao. The bookmakers currently expect the two clubs to have roughly equal chances of winning the Europa League. There are only a few small advantages for OM, with neither of them being one of the top favorites to win the trophy. In the first leg in Marseille, the French are seen much clearer forward. A closer look at the statistics is quite understandable.
Marseille:
At the weekend Olympique Marseille was able to avert a home defeat at the last minute. In the match against FC Nantes it was Florian Thauvin, who scored the goal to make it 1-1 in the fifth minute of injury time (!). The point was more than earned given a 22: 9 odds and 5: 3 shots on goal and 79% possession. Nevertheless, Marseille could not carry away in the fourth competitive match in a row. There were even three defeats in three different competitions in a row: against Sporting Braga in the second leg of the Europa League, against PSG in Ligue 1 and again against PSG in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France – all defeats conceded Marseille away. A 1-1 defeat to Nantes and a 3-0 defeat at PSG in the Ligue 1 game, Marseille lost a bit to Monaco, who are now four points clear of OM.
Marseille in third place is five points ahead of Olympique Lyon. Third place is so important because he still has the right to qualify for the Champions League. The royal class is the long-haul destination of the southern French. By last-minute goal against Nantes Marseille further expanded the strong home series. In 21 competitive games at home this season, there was only one defeat for Marseille against Stade Rennes. Otherwise Marseille comes in the other home games on fifteen wins and five draws. The bankruptcy against Rennes dates from 10.09.2017. That means: Marseille has been unbeaten for almost half a year or sixteen home matches.
Athletic Bilbao:
Athletic Bilbao lost the dress rehearsal and lost 2-0 to Sevilla FC this weekend. For the Basques it was also the third away defeat in La Liga in a row. Athletic Bilbao have been waiting for victory for five away games in Spain’s top flight. In fact, the previous season was in La Liga for Athletic Bilbao to forget. Out of 27 games, the Basques were able to win only seven. In addition, there were nine defeats and with eleven draws Athletic Bilbao has to Levante and along with Espanyol Barcelona most games without a winner in the field denied. Only one of the last nine games in La Liga was able to win Athletic Bilbao and that was a close 2-1 at home against taillight Malaga, with the guests even awarded a penalty. Almost surprising, but also happy was the progress in the semifinals of the Europa League against Spartak Moscow.
The Russian champions Athletic Bilbao won the first leg seemingly sovereign 3-1. But the statistics reveal the real picture: Only 37% possession of the ball and a 20: 7 odds (!) In favor of Spartak Moscow give an idea that the victory was not really deserved. Only two of the seven shots of Bilbao went to the box of the Russians and then into it. The third goal of the Spaniards got Spartak by own goal. In the second leg in Bilbao it was at times a similar picture. Five minutes before the end, the Russians were able to put it 2-1, but in the remaining minutes they did not manage to force the extra time. Thus, Athletic Bilbao, seen through both comparisons with Spartak Moscow, came to many unmerited in the next round.
PREDICTION: Marseille to win @ 1.82
