In their second season in the German First Division, Leipzig, who were runners-up in the Bundesliga soon after their debut, started the year in the Champions League. He failed to overcome the first phase, but won the consolation prize the right to follow his continental dream in the Europa League.
In the first knockout, he left another rather traditional team, Napoli, on the way. Then they eliminated Zenit, from Russia, who also has extensive experience in continental competitions.
This cost a club that has managed to build a good team, but does not have a large team at the disposal of Austrian coach Ralph Hasenhutti. There was a drop in the German Championship, which has been reversed in the last rounds. After a 2-1 home win against Bayern, Leipzig beat Hannover 3-2 away on Saturday, 31 March.
He got 46 points (13 wins, seven draws and eight losses) up to fourth place. It is not yet the dream of the team, who came to stay in second position threatening to repeat the vice in his debut season in the Bundesliga. But enough to have a chance to play again the Champions League, although that goal can also be obtained with the achievement of the title of the Europa League.When playing at home, the team performs significantly better. Divide with Hoffenheim the second position in the ranking of the German Championship that takes into account only the results of the teams in their stadiums.
In order to assert the field command on Thursday, Hasenhutti has to manage two medical problems. Defender Marcel Hastenberg (15 matches in the 2017/2018 German Championship, two goals) and midfielder Stefan Ilsanker (16 matches, no goal) are in doubt.
Olympique de Marseille, which has increased investment in hiring in recent seasons, faces the same problem as Leipzig. It has a good base, but lacking spare players, which ends up limiting the division between competitions.
This limitation meant that the team had reduced their chances of reaching the French runners-up. With 62 points (18 wins, 8 draws and 5 losses), his battle is now to maintain third place and thus have the right to play in qualifying for the 2018/2019 Champions League. But Lyon have two points behind them.
For the duel of this Thursday in Leipzig, it is possible that coach Rudi Garcia can not count on three absolute holders. They are in the care of the medical department the goalkeeper Steve Mandada (28 games in the French Championship edition 2017/2018); defender Hiroki Sakai (28 games, no goal) and midfielder Florian Thauvin (29 games, 16 goals).
The teams show great strategic similarities and close proximity in the technical comparison. The house factor may be responsible for the imbalance of the duel this Thursday
Prediction Today: Leipzig
Odds: 1.70
Much concern reigns in Werder Bremen since the team was complicated again and ugly with…
Botev Vratsa and Slavia Sofia meet at Stadion Hristo Botev, in a match for the…
RKC Waalwijk, who wants to get away from the relegation line, will face Twente, who…
New York's start has not been good, beyond its recent triumph. But recent history credits…
Kayserispor and Denizlispor meet at Kadir Has Sehir Stadi, in a match for the 38th…
Borussia Dortmund is aiming for fourth place. On Wednesday, the Dortmund players will face FC…