Europa League

2024-02-22 - Marseille vs Shakhtar Donetsk

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

Marseille v Shakhtar Donetsk
Football: UEFA Europa League Knockout Round Play Off Second Leg
Thursday 22nd February 2024 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV

Marseille

A considerable upturn in form and consistency is going to be needed for Marseille to Qualify for the Champions League with a top three finish domestically. Instead the best route back into the premier European competition may be through the Europa League, although Marseille are not amongst the favourites to win the competition in May.

All they can do is continue winning Europa League games and see where that takes them and Marseille are in a good position to make their way into the Last 16 draw. They finished behind Brighton in the Group Stage, but helped eliminate Ajax and AEK Athens and the team may be a little frustrated that they do not have a lead ahead of this Play Off Round Second Leg having twice led in the eventual 2-2 draw in Hamburg last week.

Marseille's failure to hold for the victory means they have not won any of their last 7 games in all competitions and they were beaten 1-0 at Brest this past weekend. The side are unbeaten in 15 at home in all competitions, but Marseille have been forced to settle for draws in each of their last 3 fixtures played here. However, Marseille have won 3 of the 4 home European ties played this season.

Shakhtar Donetsk

The Winter Break in Ukrainian Football meant Shakhtar Donetsk had not played a competitive fixture between their Match Day 6 Champions League Group game and the First Leg of this tie. It is always a difficult situation for those clubs in that spot, especially when facing a team that has not had a prolonged break from competitive action, and Shakhtar Donetsk have work to do.

The removal of the 'away goals' rule does make things a little more comfortable after the 2-2 draw in their adopted home in Hamburg, but Shakhtar Donetsk are still the underdog to progress. They are still favourites to win the Ukrainian Championship again, but Shakhtar Donetsk would love to keep the European adventure alive.

Shakhtar Donetsk have won 3 of their last 7 competitive fixtures, although only the one game last week has been played in the 2024 calendar year. They were beaten 5-3 at Porto on Match Day 6 of the Champions League Group Stage, and that means Shakhtar Donetsk have lost 4 of their last 5 away European games. Last season they were knocked into the Europa League Knock Out Rounds too and Shakhtar were beaten at both Rennes and Feyenoord.

Head to Head

This is the fourth meeting overall between Marseille and Shakhtar Donetsk and second to be hosted by the French club.

In the 2008/09 UEFA Cup, Shakhtar Donetsk did the double over Marseille in the Quarter Final Round with the Second Leg hosted by the latter.

Shakhtar Donetsk won 1-2 here on their way to lifting the trophy in Istanbul.

Prediction

Poor composure was shown by Marseille each time they took the lead in the First Leg of this Europa League Play Off Round tie and they were quickly pegged back both times.

Despite scoring their second goal in injury time, Marseille were still not able to secure the lead ahead of the Second Leg.

However, there is enough encouragement from that performance to believe this underachieving team can at least earn their place in the Last 16 draw which takes place on Friday. Marseille have drawn 3 in a row at home in all competitions, but they are unbeaten here all season and have managed to win 3 of 4 home European ties played.

They are also facing a Shakhtar Donetsk team which has struggled in away European ties over the last twelve months- they have lost 4 of their last 5 away ties played and last season were beaten at Rennes and Feyenoord in the Europa League Knock Out Rounds.

A lack of competitive football over the last two months is not ideal preparation for this tie and Shakhtar Donetsk may struggle to contain Marseille, even on the current form the home team are producing.

We should see more goals following on from the First Leg, but this time the home fans can help the Marseille players retain a bit more focus if they do get in front. That can help them find a way to win this fixture and Marseille should edge through to the Last 16 without the need for Extra Time or Penalties.