Though Marseille are in high spirits after their ‘Le Classique’ victory over PSG (1-0) made it back-to-back wins, many purists consider the clash with St. Étienne the more classic fixture, with each side seeing a joint-record ten French titles apiece. Notably, Marseille are a depleted force here, given their two red cards for the mass brawl that ensued last time out.
Marseille lost their opening home game of the campaign last season, though they are unbeaten in three of their last four such games (W2, D1, L1). Scoring first could be important, as season 2011/12 marks Marseille’s last opening home league game to see both teams find the net.
Matching Marseille’s two wins to open this season, St. Étienne boast a respectable record of W5, D1, L4 in away league openers since 2011/12. Four of the last five such games saw both teams score, whilst only one of the nine fixtures won/lost saw a 2+ goal margin. Encouragingly for them, St Étienne scored in all nine games.
The visitors drew no game entered as betting outsiders in the last campaign (W5, L11), additionally registering a 75% loss rate as travelling underdogs. Meanwhile, manager Claude Puel has racked up 34 prior H2Hs with Marseille (W11, D9, L14), and seven of the last nine league encounters won/lost have produced a single-goal margin (W5, L4).
Players to watch: Florian Thauvin has scored the opener in both of Marseille’s league games so far. Romain Hamouma, meanwhile, accounts for two of St-Étienne’s three goals from open play this term, though each of his last two goalscoring away appearances have ended in defeat.
Hot stat: Marseille boss André Villas-Boas is yet to see his side concede a goal after two H2Hs with St-Étienne, both of which were victories.