Monaco vs Marseille: Prediction, Team News & Lineups Preview

Monaco host Marseille at Stade Louis II on Sunday as the race for the top three intensifies. Filmogaz.com provides the latest Monaco vs Marseille: Prediction, Team News & Lineups Preview for this vital Ligue 1 showdown.

Title race and recent form

Monaco sit sixth in the table, three points behind Marseille in third. Seven league rounds remain.

At least five teams contest third place. Marseille, Lyon, Lille, Monaco and Rennes are separated by five points.

Monaco have won their last six league matches. No other club in the division matches that sequence.

Their most recent win came at Lyon. Maghnes Akliouche and Folarin Balogun scored second-half strikes in a 2-1 comeback.

The club has scored at least twice in each of their last eight matches across all competitions. Their only non-wins in that stretch were both Champions League playoff losses to Paris Saint-Germain.

A victory here would be Monaco’s seventh straight top-flight win. That would be only the fourth time in club history they have achieved such a run.

Monaco have also won their last four home league fixtures. Home momentum is clearly with them.

Marseille’s form and context

Marseille sit three points clear of Monaco but form has been mixed. Habib Beye succeeded Roberto De Zerbi as head coach.

Beye has overseen five league matches so far. The team has suffered two defeats in that span.

Marseille were also knocked out of the Coupe de France at home by Toulouse. The cup exit adds pressure ahead of this trip.

The Olympians kept a clean sheet on their most recent away game. Before that, they had conceded at least twice in each of five away matches.

Marseille have lost all five away fixtures against teams currently in the top seven. Their record at Monaco is also poor.

They have lost nine of their last 14 competitive visits to Stade Louis II. However, they beat Monaco 1-0 earlier this season.

That earlier win offers a chance to secure a league double. Marseille have not completed that double against Monaco since 2007-08.

Team news

Monaco

Defensive availability is a concern for Monaco. Caio Henrique and Vanderson are both sidelined with thigh problems.

Centre-back Mohammed Salisu is still recovering from a serious knee injury. Attacking midfielder Takumi Minamino is also carrying a similar issue.

Aladji Bamba, who was substituted in the last match, has been declared fit. Paul Pogba has returned to light training.

Pogba featured in a friendly against Brentford U-23. Folarin Balogun leads the attack.

Balogun has scored in five consecutive Ligue 1 games. He is expected to start up front.

• Possible Monaco XI: Hradecky; Zakaria, Faes, Kehrer; Adingra, Camara, Bamba, Teze; Akliouche, Golovin; Balogun

Marseille

Marseille will be without their leading scorer Greenwood. He is unavailable due to fitness and suspension for accumulated bookings.

This absence opens a chance for Nwaneri. The teenager joined on loan in January and scored against Lille recently.

Morocco defender Nayef Aguerd remains out while recovering from groin surgery. His absence affects defensive options.

• Possible Marseille XI: Rulli; Emerson, Balerdi, Medina, Weah; Kondogbia, Hojbjerg; Paixao, Timber, Nwaneri; Gouiri

Match outlook and prediction

The game promises attacking intent from both sides. Monaco bring significant momentum and strong home form.

Marseille have shown resilience, but their away record versus top-seven teams is poor. Recent cup and league results increase the stakes.

Filmogaz.com predicts a narrow home victory. Final score prediction: Monaco 2-1 Marseille.