MARSEILLE – ATHLETIC BILBAO UEFA Europa League

Two clubs of great tradition are preparing to challenge each other in a long-awaited double confrontation. Both teams have won numerous trophies in the national field and have sometimes managed to achieve important results even in continental competitions. Marseille won the European Champion Clubs’ Cup in the 1992-1993 season, while Athletic Bilbao reached the Europa League final just six years ago.

Accustomed to shine in possession of the ball, Marseille players trained by Rudi Garcia will take to the field with a purposeful 4-2-3-1. Clinton Njie, Dimitri Payet and Lucas Ocampos will probably be the players responsible for placing on the trocar and supporting Valère Germain. Athletic is anxious for Aritz Aduriz, who is suffering from an influenza syndrome. The attacker could play in suboptimal conditions or even not take part in the game. This absence could penalize the Athletic, even if the feeling is that in the end the Europa League slinger will still be deployed.

Athletic Bilbao sold their best defender Laporte to Manchester City during the winter transfer. His substitute Iñigo Martínez, who has come from Real Sociedad again in January, will not be able to play because he has already taken part in the Europa League with the shirt of Real. And so the weakened defense of Athletic, which in the last eleven games has kept the inviolate door on one occasion, risks big in this trip. Against a team that especially at home finds the goal with great regularity.

The probable formations of Marseille-Athletic Bilbao

MARSEILLE (4-2-3-1): Mandanda; Sarr, Rami, Rolando, Amavi; Lopez, Luiz Gustavo; Njie, Payet, Ocampos; Germain.
ATHLETIC BILBAO (4-2-3-1): Herrerin; De Marcos, Alvarez, Etxeita, Lekue; Iturraspe, San José; Iñaki Williams, Raul Garcia, Susaeta; Aduriz.

Prediction of the Day: 2-1, 1X
Odds: 1.19