Sturm Graz and Marseille both bounced back from UEFA Europa League (UEL) defeats with big domestic weekend wins, which they both hope will create a platform for a first win in this competition this season.
Match News and Current Form
Sturm Graz were in 26th in the UEL table following a 3-0 away defeat to Bournemouth, the 20th time in their 40 UEL matches that they failed to score. Their average of 0.6 goals scored per game in that period is the worst of any club to have played at least 20 major UEL fixtures, so it was a timely weekend statement when they recorded their equal-largest win (6-1) over rivals Grazer AK in 80 years. They should therefore be in a buoyant mood and hope to improve upon their goalless draw in the UEL home opener, especially as they've lost just one competitive match at Merkur-Arena this season (W5, D2) and kept five clean sheets in their last seven major European fixtures (W4, D2, L1).
Marseille are one of nine clubs to lose their first two UEL league phase fixtures after going down to Beşiktaş (L 4-1 away) and Olympiacos (L 1-0 home), and they took their own frustrations out on Angers at the weekend with a five-goal Ligue 1 blitz after trailing 1-0 at the half-hour mark. Yet to draw in any competition this season (W3, L6), Marseille’s back-to-back away wins have steered their domestic campaign back in the right direction, but there’s a lot of work to do continentally, particularly on the road where they have lost each of their last four UEL matches and won only one of their last 16 (D5, L10).
Head-to-Head History
This will be the first H2H since 1999/2000 when each side won their home fixture. Sturm Graz haven't defeated a French side in major European competition since then (D2, L3), whilst Marseille last visited Austria when losing twice to Salzburg in 2017/18.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Six of Sturm Graz’s last eight competitive matches produced over 2.5 goals.
Four of Sturm Graz’s five losses in all competitions this season were by a 2+ goal margin.
Marseille led at half-time in only one of their nine games this season (HT: D5, L3).
Nine of Marseille’s last 12 competitive away matches saw the winning team keep a clean sheet.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Seventeen-year-old Luca Weinhandl missed last week’s UEL game but has surely earned some minutes here with his weekend goal, his fourth consecutive game for club or country with a goal or assist (W3, D1). Himad Abdelli scored in each of Marseille’s last two Ligue 1 games, with six of his last seven club goals coming at away venues (W3, D2).
Sturm Graz will assess Emran Soglo, Gizo Mamageishvili and Seedy Jatta closer to matchday, whilst Pierre-Emile Højbjerg is also doubtful for Marseille.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Knowing that Marseille don’t settle for draws, your midweek accumulator could be boosted by backing either team to win in the ‘double chance’ market.
Author: Aaron Murphy