Olympique Marseille Vs Athletic Bilbao

Competition/Round: 2017-18 UEFA Europa League squad changes, Round of 16 2st leg

Date/Time: March 8, 2018 – Kick-off is at 8.05pm.

Venue: Stade Velodrome

Referee: Jorge Sousa

The round of sixteen of the Europa League commences this week. The energizing conflict between French goliaths Marseille and eight-time Spanish first division champions Athletic Bilbao will be the match everybody will have their eyes on.

Stade Velodrome will engage the primary leg of the pre-quarterfinals planned to commence at 20:05 GMT on a Thursday night.

The opposition is most likely the main route left for both the clubs to get their hands on some flatware. Olympique Marseille are nineteen focuses off the highest point of the table and were dumped out of the national glass rivalries. Athletic Bilbao likewise have a torrid alliance crusade; ending up at a thirteenth position and out of the Copa del Rey.

The home side ran out as victors in the two legs of their round of 32 meeting with Sporting Braga with a 3-1 total score-line and now go head to head against an intense European side in Athletic Bilbao. Be that as it may, they aren’t in their best of structures losing every one of the three of their past amusements which included consecutive 3-0 misfortune to PSG.

Marseille vs Athletic Bilbao Lineup ( Predicted XI)

Marseille Lineup (4-2-3-1)

Pele (GK)

Sakai (RB) – Rami (CB) – Rolando (CB) – Amavi (LB)

Zambo Anguissa (CDM) – Luis Gustavo (CDM)

Thauvin (RM) – Payet (CAM) – Ocampos (LM)

Germain (ST)

Athletic Bilbao Lineup (4-2-3-1)

Kepa (GK)

Lekue (LB) – Alvarez (CB) – Inigo Martinez (CB) – Saborit (LB)

San Jose (CDM) – Iturraspe (CDM)

Inaki Williams (RM) – Raul Garcia (CAM) – Cordoba (LM)

Aduriz (ST)

Marseille vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction

The home form of Marseille is excellent, and with the first leg being played at the Velodrome, Marseille have a huge advantage coming into the game. Marseille could play in the Champions League next season with their league position, but Athletic Club needs to put some priority to this competition and win it if they are to play in Europe next season as well.

From current form, there is no clear favorite for the game. However, we back the French side to win the tie.

Our Prediction: Olympique Marseille 2-0 Athletic Bilbao