Olympique de Marseille and Braga begin to fight on Thursday, February 15, for a place in the third phase of the Europa League in its 2017/2018 season. At the Velodrome Stadium in Marseille, the duel begins scheduled for 16h (Brasília time).
From now on, all stages of the tournament will be set in round-robin games until the two finalists are known. In case of equality of number of points conquered at the end of the two matches, the tiebreaker to be made according to the goal balance or the number of goals scored away from home. The second match between Braga and Olympique was scheduled for February 22 in Portugal.

The recent performance of Olympique Marseille

The French team has campaigned below what might have been expected in the group stage of the Europa League. The eight points (two wins, two draws and two defeats) were enough to qualify as second place group I. He was behind Salzburg (12 points) and beat Konyaspor (six) and Vitória de Guimarães (five).
Both the results and performance within the four lines of the Marseille team improved from then on. The team has not lost since December 17th. In the period, listed a series of ten matches without defeat. There were seven wins and three draws.
In the twenty-fifth round of the French Championship, they tied away from home with St. Etienne, 2-2. With 52 points (15 wins, seven draws and three losses), they fell to third place. However, it is still in the fight for the vice-leadership. It’s a point behind Monaco.
To face Braga, coach Rudi Garcia will be able to count on all his main players. Only two casting athletes are in the medical department. They are midfielder Gregory Sertic (four games in the French Championship 2017/2018, no goal) and defender Christopher Rocchia (without performances).

The current form of Braga

Braga managed to outperform Olympique de Marseille in the first round of the Europa League. He took first place in Group C with ten points (three wins, one draw and two losses). He overcame Ludogorets (nine), Basaksehir (eight) and Hoffenheim (five).
In the Portuguese Championship, without technical and financial conditions to threaten the giants Porto, Benfica and Sporting, Braga is the leader of the “tournament of the poor”. It occupies the fourth place in the general classification with 46 points (15 victories, a tie and six defeats).
It seems to be the most you can achieve. It has seven points less than Sporting, third place. The advantage in comparison with Rio Ave, fifth placed, is even greater. Ten points separate them.
This may be very important for coach Abel Ferreira, who has the opportunity to direct his efforts to the Europa League leaving the Portuguese Championship momentarily in the background.
For Thursday’s match in Marseille, he has to deal with two concussion problems. Defender Ricardo Ferreira (seven Portuguese 2017/2018 games without a goal) and Brazilian midfielder Fransérgio (12 matches, no goal) are in the process of recovery.

History of the bouts between Olympique de Marseille and Braga
The teams were in the same group as the Europa League 2015/2016 edition. In Portugal, Braga won 3-2. In France, Olympique scored 1-0.
Of the 12 matches for the French Championship that played without his stadium, Olympique scored in 11 (eight wins and three draws). This good home performance makes it indicated as the best guessing option for this Thursday’s showdown. He has a prize of 1.44 in Bet365. Draw shows return of 4.20. Success of the Portuguese team ensures the multiplication by 7.50 of the investment. Quotes were in effect at 14:27 on 12/2/2018.

1st TIP: Olympique de Marselha win @ 1.44
2nd TIP: DRAW @ 7.50