France and the Netherlands are rivals in becoming part of Europe’s top five leagues ahead of the Champions League format change next season. France and Ligue 1 hold the upper hand this term but will that continue at Stade Vélodrome this week?
Marseille vs Ajax Predictions & Tips
- Marseille -1 Asian Handicap @ 1.96 with Bet9ja
- GG & Over 2.5 Goal/No Goal & Over/Under @ 1.79 with Bet9ja
- Marseille/Marseille Half Time/Full Time @ 2.35 with Bet9ja
- Marseille First Team to Score @ 1.48 with Bet9ja
- Over 3 Over/Under Asian @ 1.85 with Bet9ja
- Jordan Veretout to score @ 4.00 with Bet9ja
- Penalty awarded @ 2.68 with Bet9ja
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Table toppers to continue their winning habit
Kicking off their Europa League campaign with successive draws, Marseille climbed to the top of Group B following back-to-back victories against AEK Athens.
The opposite can be said of Ajax who also drew their opening two group games, only to be beaten twice in their double header with Brighton. The home side are the worthy favourite to be the winner of this tie.
The Stade Vélodrome is something of a fortress for the French side. They have remained undefeated in their eight games held there across all competitions this season, winning five.
They have only suffered one loss in their last 14 games on home soil. Seven of their eight wins in that period of time saw at least three goals scored, and that is the bet I am taking to open my predictions.
Bet 1: Marseille & Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.18 with Bet9ja
Getting the goals onside
As much as I expect Marseille to win, as do Bet9ja with odds of 1.60, we can get goals onside with this selection without worrying about the result. If we use the odds as a guide, we can see that over 2.5 goals is highly expected with odds of 1.56, but I am happy to take a higher line.
There have been four goals in both of Marseille’s Europa League home ties so far. Looking at their stats, goals have been on the menu wherever Ajax have travelled. Their nine competitive road trips this term have seen 35 goals at an average of 3.89. Over 3.5 goals has landed in 67% of those fixtures.
Bet 2: Over 3.5 goals @ 2.34 with Bet9ja
Veretout to make it three in three
In a game where we expect many goals, there is some value to be found in the goalscorer market. Looking at the last head-to-head, there was an evenly split tally of six goals. However, I am adding a player who was on the bench that night to my tips.
Jordan Veretout made a 26-minute cameo in Amsterdam. Although he didn’t score, he provided an assist for the equalising goal. He then started the home ties with Brighton and AEK, getting his name on the scoresheet on both occasions. I am taking him to make it a 100% scoring record on home soil in this competition.
Bet 3: Jordan Veretout to score @ 4.00 with Bet9ja
Prolific penalty awarder to point to the spot again
The final selection is based on recent history, involving referee Simone Sozza. The Italian is the man in charge of this game, and I am taking him to award a penalty.
The 36-year-old referee awarded 2 spot kicks at the weekend, as well as eight in his last eight appearances. He pointed to the spot at least once in six of those matches and in each of the last four.
Sozza was the man in the middle for LASK vs Union St. Gilloise last month in this competition and gave a penalty. Marseille and Ajax have seen five penalties awarded in their four group games to date.
Bet 4: Penalty awarded @ 2.68 with Bet9ja
