Marseille host Brest in Ligue 1 this weekend with both sides still aiming to qualify for Europe next season.
With four games remaining, the hosts are in second place, good enough for a spot in next season's Champions League, while Brest are ninth, seven points adrift of a Conference League spot.
Match preview
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The race for European football is heating up in France with just four points separating second-placed Marseille and seventh-placed Strasbourg.
Roberto De Zerbi's men got back to winning ways last time out following a disappointing run of form with a comfortable 5-1 triumph over Montpellier.
Two goals from Mason Greenwood helped Marseille on their way to success, as they recorded only their second win in their last six matches.
The other four matches in that streak have all ended in defeat, as Les Olympiens have had a difficult time in the league in recent weeks.
Although second place would be a significant improvement on the eighth-placed finish that Marseille achieved last season, De Zerbi is reportedly demanding backing from the club's board in the summer transfer window to commit fully to the club beyond this season.
Add to that some criticism of players from within the squad, as well as five defeats in their last eight matches, and there is a sense that trouble is brewing at the Ligue 1 club.
Given that OM have now suffered defeat in nine matches so far this season, the recent poor run of form has certainly threatened to derail their promising campaign.
However, after winning two of their past three games in the league, they will be hopeful that they have turned a corner and can finish the season on a high to ensure Champions League qualification.
Marseille scored eight goals in those two recent wins, and De Zerbi's men are the second-highest scoring team in the division, with 62 goals in 30 matches, a record only bettered by champions Paris Saint-Germain.
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They will hope to add more goals to their tally this weekend, when they entertain a Brest side that have the fifth-leakiest defence in the division.
Indeed, the visitors have conceded 49 goals in their 30 games this season, and they have kept eight clean sheets throughout the entire campaign.
Their poor defensive record is a big reason why they are on the outside and looking in on the European places as the season approaches its conclusion.
Having been one of the feel-good stories of the Champions League group phase earlier in the campaign, their quest for another European campaign next term appears to be falling short.
Their continental hopes were all but dashed last weekend with a 3-1 loss at the hands of Lens, who jumped above them in the standings with the victory.
The visitors have only won five of their 15 away matches so far this season, but coming up against a Marseille side that have dropped points in seven home matches, they may feel there is an opportunity to grab points this weekend.
Brest will be out to get revenge for their defeat in the reverse fixture between the two clubs back in August when Marseille won 5-1 at Stade Francis-Le Ble.
Greenwood and Luis Henrique both netted braces on that day for OM in a comprehensive win for De Zerbi's men.
Team News
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In a blow for the hosts, both Ruben Blanco (ankle) and Chancel Mbemba are not expected to feature in this match.
In better news, Leonardo Balerdi could be in line to return following a recent knee injury.
The visitors will be without goalkeeper Marco Bizot due to suspension through accumulating cards, while Abdoulaye Ndiaye is also banned following his red card against Lens last weekend.
Elsewhere, Justin Bourgault (foot) is out for the rest of the season, while Bradley Locko, Soumaila Coulibaly, Ibrahim Salah and Ludovic Ajorque are all doubts for Brest.
Marseille possible starting lineup:
Rulli; Merlin, Garcia, Kondogbia, Murillo; Rongier, Hojbjerg, Henrique, Rabiot; Greenwood, Gouiri
Brest possible starting lineup:
Coudert; Haidara, Le Cardinal, Chardonnet, Fernandes; Magnetti, Lees-Melou, Camara, Pereira Lage; Ajorque, Sima
We say: Marseille 1-0 Brest
Marseille have been unpredictable in recent weeks which makes this a tough game to call.
The hosts comfortably saw off Brest in the reverse fixture, and while we expect it to be a much closer match this time, the outcome should remain the same.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Tom Humphrey
