Marseille vs Brighton: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Brighton visit Marseille, who are yet to find their feet with Gattuso

The home side announced Gennaro Gattuso as their new head coach just last Wednesday. Marseille brought the Italian to steer the club in a better direction after suffering a 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1. The French club's UEFA Europa League opener finished as a 3-3 draw with AFC Ajax. Marseille are now set to host Brighton after the away side recorded their heaviest-ever Premier League defeat.

The Seagulls are going into the away UEL fixture on matchday 2 after suffering a huge 6-1 away defeat at the hands of Aston Villa. Head coach Roberto De Zerbi has stated that this is not the real Brighton and the fans will see the better ones on Thursday night. With Marseille yet to find their feet with a new manager and a win in their last five competitive fixtures, this fixture is one to watch for sure!

Kick-Off:

Thursday, 5 October 2023 at 5:45 PM BST (10:15 PM IST)

Location: Stade Vélodrome

Form

Marseille (in all competitions): L-L-D-D-D

Brighton (in all competitions): L-L-W-L-W

Players to Watch

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Marseille)

The French club paid zero money in transfers for the Gabon international and former FC Barcelona striker. Although Chelsea had brought him in from Barcelona last summer, they allowed to him join Marseille on a free. The experienced forward is yet to score in the 7 Ligue 1 games he featured but already has a brace on the Europa League opener. Also, Aubameyang who is on 26 UEL goals will be looking to catch up with Radamel Falcao who has 30 goals in the Europa League and is the all-time top scorer.

Ansu Fati (Brighton)

The only goal for Brighton in a 6-1 defeat to Aston Villa was scored by Ansu Fati. Fati was brought in at halftime to replace striker Evan Ferguson and just five minutes later the FC Barcelona loanee delivered. It was just his third Premier League appearance as a substitute. The 20-year-old played the whole 90 minutes in a 3-2 loss to AEK Athens in Brighton's Europa League opener and is expected to start again.

Match Facts

• Brighton suffered the heaviest PL defeat of 6-1 in the last game which was away to Aston Villa. Now they will be travelling to face Marseille
• Both teams head into matchday 2 of the UEL group stages with two consecutive defeats
• The Seagulls have failed to score against just one opponent in the last 22 games in all competitions, while The Phocaeans have conceded 10 goals in their last 3 competitive games

Injury & Team News

New head coach Gennaro Gattuso won't have Geoffrey Kondogbia to pick from as he is out with a groin injury. Both Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were seen back in action when Marseille played AS Monaco and will be available for this contest as well.

The Seagulls will be visiting with both Julio Enciso and Jakub Moder dealing with knee injuries. Key experienced players such as Pascal Gross, James Milner and Adam Lallana are all doubtful for Brighton. Coach Roberto De Zerbi will surely not field the exact starting 11 that suffered a 6-1 humiliation at Villa Park.

Head to Head

This Europa League fixture will be their first meeting

Predicted Lineup

Marseille predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Lopez (GK); Clauss, Gigot, Mbemba, Murillo; Ounahi, Rongier, Veretout; Ndiaye, Aubameyang, Correa

Brighton predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Steele (GK); Lamptey, Igor, Dunk, Estupinan; Hinshelwood, Gilmour; March, Fati, Mitoma; Pedro

Match Prediction for Marseille vs Brighton

Both teams will be seeking a win after they run into each other on the back of two consecutive defeats. The home side has brought in a new manager, Gennaro Gattuso and might be optimistic that things will change after Marseille have recorded just a single win in their last six competitive fixtures.

The away side may have been outclassed by Aston Villa while on the road, but they have even thumped Manchester United 3-1 mid-September away too. The Seagulls might look a bit wobbly at the moment but coach Roberto De Zerbi will make sure they come home with a win against the French club still finding their feet with Gattuso in charge.

Prediction: Marseille 2-3 Brighton

Telecast

India – Sony Sports Network

UK – TNT Sports

US –  CBS, TUDN

Nigeria – Supersport