Marseille vs. Feyenoord Predictions: Expect goals in the south of France

Marseille welcome Feyenoord to the Stade Velodrome Thursday evening, for the second leg of their European conference league Semi Final clash.

Marseille come into this game having to overturn a 3-2 deficit following the mouth watering 1st leg over in the Netherlands. The hosts on that day raced into an early 2-0 lead before Marseille clawed 2 back before half time – Feyenoord then went on to win 3-2 in the second half. However, the French side will definitely feel they will be able to put their excellent home form to use in order to turn around this tie. Jorge Sampaoli’s side have won 4 of their last 5 on home soil, and had won all 6 Conference games prior to that recent loss.

Feyenoord followed up their 1st leg heroics with a comfortable 3-1 victory away to Sittard. They currently sit 3rd in the Eredivisie which would see them back in the Europa league next season. A clean sheet here would ensure the Dutch side make the final, but that may be hard to come by. This Feyenoord side have not kept a clean in any of their previous 7 away games, so this tie could once again see goals on the agenda.

My first play comes in the fancy of goals, backing both teams to notch and over 2.5 goals is a respectable 4/5 available with bet 365 and most bookmakers.

Similar to the first leg, I can see both teams getting on the scoresheet in a game that expects goals. Marseille come into this game knowing they have to score and it’s a feat they should achieve. Feyenoord have seen BTTS in 14 of their last 15 games, so attack could be the best form of defence for the travelling side. I expect Marseille to improve following their 3-0 loss at home to Lyon in their last outing, but a Gung-ho approach should see opportunities at both ends in what should be an entertaining game.

With Feyenoord ahead going into this tie, the game state should only help this selection.

The Dutch side have committed the most fouls in this European competition, and are averaging over 2 cards per game – they picked up 3 yellow cards in the first leg and I can imagine we will see something similar here. This is an opportunity for them to make their first European final in 20 years. Gamesmanship will almost certainly come into play, making the 5/6 price available for 3 or more away cards a play for another point.