Olympique de Marseille were in a state of disarray after just two games of the season. Having suffered defeats against Caen and Valenciennes in the opening weeks, the French media were quick to note that only Nice back in the 1950s had lost their first two fixtures to come back and claim the title. It’s not yet November, but already the history books are ready to change.
Despite not playing the fluid brand of football that was seen as they claimed the title last season, Marseille are a side capable of winning games domestically on a consistent basis. Four of their last five Ligue 1 fixtures have been won, going unbeaten throughout that period. And it’s not been an easy run for OM, who have gone to Saint-Etienne to draw and Lille to win.
Victory last Sunday over les Dogues was an impressive result, even if OM were sluggish in the opening half and were somewhat fortunate to go in at the break only 1-0 down. There was a vast improvement after the break, but against a more ruthless side they would almost certainly have lost.
“We couldn’t play any worse,” Deschamps exclaimed to the media regarding his side’s first half showing in Lille. “Taking the three points is an excellent result, and given the results in other games this weekend, it’s an even better one. We’ll see what comes of it if we can be consistent. We haven’t been so far. A win like this is very important.”
Late on Wednesday afternoon, Marseille were again poor but had just enough quality and luck to dispatch Championnat National side Guingamp in the Coupe de la Ligue. If OM play to such a mediocre standard again at the weekend, they’ll need all their grit and determination to earn even a point.
Punching Hard
At the start of the season, Rennes coach Frederic Antonetti lamented his side’s underachievement last season, and his words seem to have prompted a very positive response from his team. Regularly at the right end of Le Championnat, the Breton club have rarely been at the very sharp end of the table, never having claimed the title previously. Indeed, this has been les Rouge et Noir’s best ever start to a top flight campaign.
The dark horses are plotting their winter transfer window already, according to rumours in the French press, but it’s easy to see why they’re going to take to the market. After selling strikers Asamoah Gyan and Ismael Bangoura for considerable fees at the end of the summer window, the Bretons have been left with only Victor Hugo Montano in attack.
Over the last three weeks the Colombian has been injured, and without another centre forward to fill his boots, the Bretons have been wholly toothless. They were held to a scoreless draw against a Lens side in the relegation zone a fortnight ago and lost their unbeaten Ligue 1 record against Montpellier last weekend, going down 1-0 at home.
Saturday evening’s fixture at the Stade Velodrome therefore promises to be an encounter that will give the Bretons a real acid test of how real their championship ambitions are. On recent form it’s tough to see them picking up anything more than a draw, but a victory would be a massive and somewhat unexpected boost.
TEAM NEWS
Marseille
There have been reports that Julien Rodriguez will consider quitting the professional game due to his persistent injury troubles. In the more immediate future, there are concerns over Stephane Mbia and Edouard Cisse, both of whom limped out of the midweek encounter in Brittany.
Rennes
After being dismissed last weekend, Kader Mangane will be absent. Veteran midfielder Jerome Leroy will be suspended after picking up three yellow cards in the opening 10 matches of the campaign.
In terms of injuries, key forward Hugo Montano, who is their only recognised goal scoring attacker, and Rod Fanni, should be able to return to the first team fold. Onyekachi Apam and Fabien Lemoine are still out.
Prediction
Marseille have had a happy habit of picking up wins even if they’ve not played well. With Victor Hugo Montano potentially missing for the visiting side, it’s difficult to see how they can provide a threat from open play great enough to worry their hosts, while the loss of Kader Mangane at the back may also be telling. OM haven’t yet clicked this season, so they won’t romp this game, but they should be good enough to win it.
Marseille 2-1 Stade Rennais FC 
