Marseille vs Red Bull Salzburg Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

It’s been a tough few years for the Marseille faithful, with the side finishing all the way down in 13th in 2016 and only getting a 5th place finish last year. This season things are already guaranteed to be better though, and the Orange Velodrome inhabitants can look forward to a brighter future.

The Ligue 1 giants have already wrapped up a spot in the top four, sitting 19 points clear of 5th placed Nice. Things could get even better though, as they are only two points adrift of 2nd placed Monaco and still in with a really good chance of Europa League success. One way or another, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a return to Champions League action for Les Olympiens next year.

First they must navigate a potentially tricky Europa League semi final though as they face off with a Red Bull Salzburg side they have already played against this season. The two met in the group stages, and whilst there was only one goal in their two group games we’re expecting a rather different outcome here.

Marseille’s attacking prowess has gone from strength to strength this season, and their 5-1 thrashing of Lille on Saturday illustrates that perfectly. In fact, they have scored 13 goals in their last three competitive games, including a 5-2 win over RB Leipzig in the quarter finals. However, they have conceded five goals in these three games too, and they’re facing a Salzburg side who aren’t too shabby in front of goal themselves.

The Austrian visitors were never expected to make it this far in the competition, but they have impressed massively in the knockout stages. Last time out took the biscuit though as they hammered Serie A giants Lazio 4-1 at home, overturning their 4-2 deficit from the first leg. They might have to do the same sort of turnaround against Marseille as well, because the Frenchmen are in excellent form at home.

They have lost just two competitive games at the Orange Velodrome all season, winning 18 of their 26 games there. We’ve already mentioned their goalscoring prowess, but at home it goes up another level. They have scored 28 goals in their last ten competitive home games, including 11 in their last three Europa League matches there.

Given their recent form we think a Marseille Win looks the best bet here, but they have only kept one clean sheet in their last six at home and Salzburg are flourishing in attack, so we’re also backing a Marseille Win and Both Teams to Score alongside a 3-2 correct score predictions.

Florian Thauvin has been the standout performer for the hosts all season and has scored nine goals in his last eight appearances at the Orange Velodrome, so we’re backing him to find the net again on Thursday.