Champions League

Champions League Preview: Olympique Marseille - FC Zurich

OM are seeking for a double over the Swiss side...

Nov 2, 2009 3:42:50 PM

Ligue 1 : Brandao (Olympique de Marseille)

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Ligue 1 : Brandao (Olympique de Marseille)

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Kick-Off: 20:45 CET, Tuesday, November 3, 2009; Stade Velodrome, Marseille

In With A Shout

Marseille finally won away from home in the Champions League on matchday 3 when they downed Zurich, 1-0. It was enough to end OM's ignominious run of six successive defeats and finally puts some points on the board for Didier Deschamps' team in this season's edition.

To ensure that they remain competitive in a group laden with European heavyweights, les Phoceens have little option other than to defeat Zurich for the second time in a fortnight.

However, their current run of home form in this competition is only slightly better than their form away from home; the Velodrome side have only managed three wins in three years of competing at this level on their own turf. Furthermore, they have not managed a clean sheet at home since August.

OM tuned up for this midweek clash with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Toulouse and saw midfielder Lucho Gonzalez withdrawn through injury. The weekend previous, the match against PSG was deferred until November 20 due to concerns over swine flu in the Parisien ranks.

Aiming High

Like their French opponents, Zurich come into this Champions League encounter on the back of a 1-1 domestic draw. Bernard Challandes' team arrested a sequence of three successive defeats in the Swiss Super League with a draw at home to Sion. It means that they remain entrenched in fifth position, a mammoth 15 points from top spot.

However, Zurich will be encouraged by their away form in this competition this season. Wins in Maribor, Ventspils and Milan have ensured that they have managed wins in all their matches in the Champions League this season. Given Marseille's patchy European home form, there is every chance that a reward may be plundered.

FORM GUIDE

Olympique Marseille

31 October v Toulouse (H) Ligue 1 DREW 1-1

21 October v FC Zurich (A) Champions League WON 1-0

17 October v Nancy (A) Ligue 1 WON 3-0

4 October v Monaco (H) Ligue 1 LOST 2-1

30 September v Real Madrid (A) Champions League LOST 3-0

FC Zurich

31 October v Sion (H) Super League DREW 1-1

28 October v Basel (H) Super League DREW 2-2

25 October v St Gallen (A) Super League WON 3-1

21 October v Marseille (H) Champions League LOST 1-0

17 October v Locarno (H) Schweizer Pokal WON 7-0

Team News

Olympique Marseille

Souleymane Diawara returns to contention after serving a one match ban but Laurent Bonnert will have to sit this one out after his sending off in Switzerland. Lucho Gonzalez is expected to be out for up to four weeks after an ankle injury but Garry Bocaly returned against Toulouse at the weekend.

Possible Starting Line-Up: Mandanda; Bocaly, Hilton, Heinze, Taiwo; Cheyrou, Kabore, Cisse, Valbuena; Niang, Brandao

FC Zurich

Yassine Chikhaoui, Martin Buchel and Eric Hassli are still among the long-time absentees for the Swiss side.

Possible Starting Line-Up: Leoni; Koch, Barmettler, Tihinen, Rochat; Magairaz, Aegerter, Abdi, Gajic, Djuric; Vonlanthen

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Olympique Marseille - Brandao

The Brazilian striker has netted in his last two league games but has yet to open his account in this season's Champions League campaign. OM have yet to lose a game in which the 29-year-old has found the net. With Marseille clinging on to their credentials in this competition, the former Shakhtar Donetsk front-man will know what is expected of him.

FC Zurich - Almen Abdi

The playmaker has announced that he will depart Switzerland at the end of the season for Udinese in Serie A. The 23-year-old will be hoping to ensure European football in the new year for Zurich before he goes.

Prediction

Although Zurich's away record has been strong and they shook Milan on their own turf, OM are possessed of the requisite mettle to see off the challenge of the Swiss side.

Olympique Marseille 1-0 FC Zurich

Peter Staunton, Goal.com