Brighton vs Marseille UEL Odds & Preview
Bye to Round of 16 on the Line
Marseille Rounding into Form Under Gattuso
Marseille had a slow start to the season, but they’ve now won four straight under Gennaro Gattuso. OM heads to England on Thursday to take on Brighton in the Europa League in a consequential group-stage finale. The winner of the match will earn a bye to the Europa League round of 16, while the loser will play in the first knockout round in February. Ending their first taste of group stage European competition on top of the group would be a massive milestone for Brighton. We’ll see if they can pull it off as we check out the Brighton vs Marseille UEL odds.
Brighton vs Marseille
Location: American Express Stadium, Brighton and Hove, England
Day/Time:
Streaming: TSN3, Bally Sports West
Head-to-Head:
These teams met for the first time back in October. Marseille took a 2-0 lead midway through the first half through Chancel Mbemba and Jordan Veretout goals. Brighton staged a second-half comeback, and a goal from Pascal Gross and a late penalty from Joao Pedro meant the match finished all square at two. The pre-match soccer betting odds listed Brighton as the +130 favorite and a draw at +260.
Brighton’s Successful European Debut
Brighton has done well to clinch a knockout stage berth in their first appearance in the UEFA competition. However, they’ve been one of the more inconsistent soccer picks today, especially in the Premier League this season. They haven’t yet reached the heights that they’re capable of. The Seagulls are in eighth place in the EPL and drew 1-1 vs. Burnley over the weekend in a match they should’ve won. Brighton had a number of clear-cut chances to take the lead, but Burnley keeper James Trafford was the man of the match.
Since losing to AEK Athens on their European debut, Brighton are unbeaten in their last four UEL games. Plus, they’re on a three-game winning streak in the Europa League. In their previous match, Joao Pedro’s penalty was enough to get revenge over AEK Athens. The Seagulls have kept three straight European clean sheets and Pedro is joint-leader with five Europa League goals.
Thursday’s Brighton vs Marseille UEL odds price the Seagulls as -155 favorites. Roberto de Zerbi could have a selection headache though, as injuries continue to pile up. Ansu Fati, Tariq Lamptey, Adam Webster, Pervis Estupiñan, Danny Welbeck, Solly March, and Julio Enciso are all expected to be out on Thursday. Between Pedro, Evan Ferguson and Simon Adingra, Brighton still has enough firepower to come away with a win.
Marseille Resurgent Under Gattuso
Marseille have lost just one of their last nine matches heading into Thursday’s clash at Brighton. Over the weekend, Gennaro Gattuso’s OM defeated Lorient by a 4-2 scoreline. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang got on the scoresheet twice and the Gabon international has scored seven goals in his last four matches. On their four-game winning streak, OM have averaged over three goals per game and put four on Ajax in their previous Europa League match.
Marseille players are currently dominating the Europa League stats currently. Aubameyang is joint-leader, with five goals. Meanwhile, Jonathan Clauss and Amine Harit have provided four assists each. Heading into the final UEL group stage matchday, Marseille is an unbeaten 3-2-0 and has won their last three matches in the competition.
Gattuso will be without a few players on Thursday, including Geoffrey Kondogbia, Valentin Rongier, and Joaquin Correa. Bettors should note that Marseille has won just two matches away from home in 11 tries this season. Meanwhile, they’re unbeaten at the Stade Velodrome up to this point. A draw would be enough for Marseille to clinch the group and advance directly to the round of 16.
Match Analysis & Odds
This figures to be an entertaining match, as Roberto de Zerbi won’t compromise Brighton’s attacking play style in pursuit of a result. Brighton’s matches are often high-scoring, but bettors should note their only three shutouts of the season have come in the Europa League. Marseille heads into this match in excellent goal-scoring form. They’ve scored 13 goals on their four-game winning streak.
The Brighton vs Marseille UEL odds for this match price the Seagulls as -155 home favorites. Bettors can take Brighton -1 at even odds and Marseille +1 at -130. OM hasn’t lost by more than a one-goal margin since September’s 4-0 loss to PSG. With the form they’re in, some may fancy Marseille at +370 odds. Marseille didn’t win any of their first seven road matches this season but have now won two of their last four.
The last time these teams met, it finished in a 2-2 draw, and another deadlock is priced at +335.
Aubameyang has been in stellar goalscoring form for Marseille, and he’s becoming a key cog under Gattuso. The former Arsenal striker could cause problems for Brighton on Thursday. Regardless, under 3, 3.5 goals sit at -130, as both teams know they’ll win the group with a victory.
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