Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Ligue 1 match.
Two sides with very different ambitions meet at Stade Auguste-Delaune: Reims are desperately trying to avoid the drop, while Marseille are clinging to a Champions League spot. With pressure mounting on both benches, the outcome could hinge on who handles the tension better.
Reims
Reims are having a disappointing season, considering they finished ninth in the French league less than a year ago. With eight matchdays remaining, they are a whopping 14 points away from that same 9th place. It’s a practically insurmountable distance. They have already collected 3.87 points fewer than expected. The relegation zone, meanwhile, is just three points beneath them. Moreover, 17th-placed Saint-Étienne have a game in hand. Reims are so poor that a goalless draw away to Stade Brestois feels like a miracle after six defeats.
Marseille
Marseille are second, but they have long given up on dreaming of the championship – Paris are 19 points ahead. If they lose, AS Monaco and OGC Nice draw in their head-to-head match, and Paris Saint-Germain defeat Saint-Étienne, then the Parisians will celebrate their championship after this round. Marseille have worsened their situation with two consecutive defeats, including one against Paris (1:3), and they have only collected 6 points out of a possible 15 in their last five matches. During this time, the distance from third place has shrunk from six points to two. Even in the event of a draw, Marseille could be overtaken by both Monaco and Nice; they could both get ahead.
Reims vs Marseille Prediction
Since the start of the year, Marseille have won two away matches and lost three, but their opponent is so weak that a victory for Reims seems unlikely. However, a comfortable win for Marseille also seems improbable. We are only confident in a minimal victory for them.
