Groningen vs Marseille Betting Tips

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Groningen

Marseille

This is the first meeting between Groningen and Marseille and it comes in a Europa League group where both sides are legitimate contenders to qualify for the next stage,

Groningen qualified for this competition last season by being resilient defensively, organised and suffocating games. It’s been a different kettle of fish so far in 2015-16. They’ve picked up seven points in their first five games, but there’s been plenty of goals and there hasn’t been the same reliability game to game.

Their last two games exemplify that point. They were beaten 2-0 by FC Utrecht, before returning home to beat a pretty strong opponent in Heerenveen 3-1 last weekend. Which Groningen turns up on Thursday?

If you want to talk about consistency issues, then look no further than Marseille. They would have been major favourites to walk this group a couple of months ago, but the potential flaws in this squad exposed by a summer of transition and the departure of manager Marcelo Bielsa after only one game.

They’ve found some improved consistency in Ligue 1 play in recent weeks beating Bastia and Troyes by a combined 10-1 scoreline in two of their last three games. However, sandwiched between those two games was a 2-0 loss to basement dwellers Guingamp. Which Marseille turns up on Thursday?

Three Reasons for Betting Tips

1. Groningen home form

We were tempted by the Money Line betting tip here, but the odds on Groningen on the double chance are near even and that’s a pretty good bet in this matchup.

2. Marseille’s erratic play

They’ve looked a lot better in front of their home fans and there’s a feeling that a few things are coming together on the French south coast. This club has plenty of talent and should be a threat in Europa League play. However, we think travelling to Groningen and picking up three points might be a step too far.

3. Game opening tension

This might be a slightly more cagey affair because of the opportunity that both teams have. We think that’ll play into the Dutch Eredivisie side’s hands on Thursday.