Europa League: Marseille vs Shakhtar Donetsk Betting Lines
Second Leg Showdown in France
Marseille Sack Gattuso
Olympique de Marseille haven’t won any of their last seven matches, in all competitions. They’ll desperately be looking to break their winless streak on Thursday, when they host Shakhtar Donetsk in the second leg of the Europa League Knockout Play-off. Last week, these sides played to a draw in a four-goal thriller but Marseille fired coach Gennaro Gattuso after losing 1-0 to Brest over the weekend. After their second coaching change of the season, we’ll see if OM can regroup as we take a look at the Marseille vs Shakhtar Donetsk betting lines. Thursday’s winner will advance to the UEL round of 16.
Marseille vs. Shakhtar Donetsk 
Date, time:
Location: Stade Velodrome, Marseille, France
Marseille vs Shakhtar Donetsk Head-to-Head
This is the first time the Europa League draw has paired Marseille and Shakhtar Donetsk. In last week’s first leg of the knockout play-off, these sides drew 2-2. Marseille took the lead in the second half as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang turned in a Jonathan Clauss cross. Clauss’ miskick also led to Shakhtar’s equalizer, scored by Mykola Matviyenko. Marseille thought they had a 90th winner, as Aubameyang assisted substitute Iliman Ndiaye. However, OM switched off and Shakhtar’s Eguinaldo headed in a stoppage time equalizer.
The Marseille vs Shakhtar Donetsk betting lines priced a draw at +245. This was the first meeting since the 2008-09 UEFA Cup Quarter-final. There, Shakhtar won both legs to advance to the semis. So, Marseille are looking for their first-ever win vs. Shakhtar here.
Marseille Hire Gasset as New Coach
Marseille’s, and specifically Gennaro Gattuso’s, woes continued on Sunday when they went to Brest in a Ligue 1 contest. They were unable to find the net and had precious few chances in the match. Brest went a man down in the 60th minute but still went on the attacking front foot. In the 88th minute, Pierre Lees-Melou managed to put the hosts ahead when Brest pounced on a lose ball and he nutmegged Marseille keeper Ruben Blanco. The goal was the only one of the match and it ensured Brest moved up to second place in the Ligue 1 table and Marseille fell to ninth.
For Marseille, it marked a seventh straight match without a win, in all competitions. Marseille’s higher ups decided they had seen enough and dismissed Gattuso following the match. On Tuesday, OM announced that Jean-Louis Gasset will take over coaching duties. Ivory Coast recently fired Gasset during the Africa Cup of Nations after going 1-2 in the group stage. Les Elephants ended up winning the tournament with interim coach Emerse Fae.
It remains to be seen whether Marseille will face a new manager bump on Thursday. It would certainly help Gasset endear himself to the fans if he’s able to guide Marseille to the round of 16. OM have drawn five of their last seven 90-minute matches and their only win of 2024 was vs. fifth-tier club Thionville Lusitanos in the Coupe de France. Bettors should be aware that Leonardo Balerdi is suspended for this match, while Valentin Rongier, Amir Murillo and Jordan Veretout are out injured.
Shakhtar Conceding Plenty on the “Road”
Despite not playing a competitive match for over two months, Shakhtar Donetsk were up for the task vs. Marseille last week. Despite falling behind in the match on two occasions, Shakhtar managed two equalizers and a 2-2 draw. Hardship is something familiar for Shakhtar, as they haven’t played a home game in Donetsk for nearly 10 years. The club has relocated multiple times due to the War in Donbas and last Thursday’s match was played in Germany.
Still, Shakhtar have been UEFA Champions League regulars and have played in the UCL group stage for seven straight seasons. This is the second season in a row they’ve finished third in their UCL group and have gone down to the Europa League. Last season, they drew 1-1 with Feyenoord in the first leg of the Knockout Play-off and lost 7-1 in the second leg.
So far this season, Shakhtar Donetsk are in fourth place in the Ukrainian Premier League but have two games in hand. They’re only three points behind current leaders Kryvbas. Bettors should note that the Ukrainian side conceded nine goals in three Champions League road games this season. No Shakhtar players are currently reported injured and Danylo Sikan is one player to watch here, as the striker scored four UCL goals this season.
Marseille vs Shakhtar Donetsk Match Analysis & Odds
Marseille have played with a man advantage for at least 30 minutes in two matches in the past month, yet they didn’t win either match. Consistency has been a major issue and they’re lacking confidence at the moment. Perhaps a coaching change is what Marseille need to awaken their potential. Currently, the Marseille vs Shakhtar Donetsk betting lines agree with that sentiment, as OM are -140 favorites. Shakhtar Donetsk tend to concede a lot of goals on the road and Marseille do have some weapons.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a field day last week at Shakhtar and he should be key once again. If he scores here, he’ll become the all-time leading scorer in Europa League history. Shakhtar to win in 90 minutes comes in at +365 soccer betting odds while a draw, and two subsequent extra time periods, are priced at +295. Bettors can also take Marseille -0.5, -1 at -115 and Shakhtar Donetsk +0.5, +1 at the same odds.
Despite their recent form, Marseille are overwhelming favorites to qualify for the round of 16, at -280 Europa League odds. Shakhtar to qualify is priced at +220 odds but they’ve certainly had their moments in European competition this season. Over and under 2.5, 3 goals display -115 odds and we think Marseille will get on the scoresheet multiple times in this one and kick off the Gasset era with a bang. Marseille over 1.5 goals sits at -135 for Thursday’s match.
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