The hosts are currently occupying top spot in the group, having taken nine points from four games, two clear of second-placed Brighton & Hove Albion and six away from de Joden, who are at the bottom of the standings.
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Marseille will be bidding to seal their progress to the knockout stage of the Europa League when they play host to Ajax in a Group B fixture on Thursday. The hosts are currently occupying top spot in the group, having taken nine points from four games, two clear of second-placed Brighton & Hove Albion and six away from de Joden, who are at the bottom of the standings, with just two points to their name. Meanwhile, the reverse fixture between these two sides in Netherlands back in September produced a thrilling 3-3 draw, with the Ligue 1 outfit thrice coming from behind to earn a point.
City pride on the line ❌❌❌#UEL #omaja pic.twitter.com/lZlYk2vbp0
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) November 30, 2023
Marseille began their Europa League campaign with successive draws against Brighton and Ajax, before getting the better of AEK Athens home and away with an aggregate scoreline of 5-1. Les Phoceens secured a 2-0 victory over the Greek outfit in Greece on matchday four earlier this month courtesy of goals from Chancel Mbemba Mangulu and Ismaila Sarr. However, the Olympians couldn’t build on that success, as they recorded a defeat and a draw from their next two league games against Lens and Strasbourg. Gennaro Gattuso’s side shared the spoils away to Strasbourg last time out thanks to Jonathan Clauss’ 27th-minute equaliser. Les Minots are currently occupying 12th spot in the French top flight standings, having pocketed 14 points from 12 games.
Ajax, on the other hand, are yet to register their first Group stage victory of this term’s Europa League, having recorded two draws and as many defeats so far. After back-to-back draws over Marseille and AEK Athens, the Dutch outfit suffered a 4-0 aggregate defeat to Brighton. Interim boss John van ‘t Schip is aware that his Ajax side need to claim maximum points in Thursday’s encounter with the French outfit if they are to have any chance of finishing in the top two or at least the third spot, in order to secure a Europa Conference League place. Meanwhile, when it comes to the Eredivisie, the defending champions are languishing at the 8th position, with 15 points to their name from 12 matches.
Marseille probable starting lineup: Lopez, Clauss, Mbemba, Balerdi, Lodi, Veretout, Kondogbia, Ndiaye, Harit, Sarr, Aubameyang
Ajax probable starting lineup: Ramaj, Rensch, Sutalo, Hato, Sosa, Tahirovic, Taylor, Berghuis, Hlynsson, Bergwijn, Akpom
Form Guide
Marseille
| Opponents | Score |
| Strasbourg | 1-1 (D) |
| Lens | 1-0 (L) |
| AEK Athens | 0-2 (W) |
| Lille | 0-0 (D) |
| AEK Athens | 3-1 (W) |
Ajax
| Opponents | Score |
| Vitesse | 5-0 (W) |
| Almere City | 2-2 (D) |
| Brighton | 0-2 (L) |
| Heerenveen | 4-1(W) |
| FC Volendam | 2-0 (W) |
| Last 5 match-results | Score |
| Ajax draw Marseille | 3-3 |
| Marseille draw Ajax | 2-2 |
| Ajax draw Marseille | 2-2 |
| Marseille beat Ajax | 2-1 |
| Ajax beat Marseille | 4-1 |
The Europa League fixture between Marseille and Ajax will take place at Stade Velodrome on Friday at 1:30 am IST.
| Marseille vs Ajax | Key Details |
| Date | November 30 (France) |
| Venue | Stade Velodrome |
| Kickoff time in France | 9:00 pm (Thursday) |
| Kickoff time in Netherlands | 9:00 pm (Thursday) |
| Kickoff time in India | 1:30 am (Friday) |
The live telecast of the Europa League matches in India will be available on Sony Sports network. Besides, football fans in India can also live stream the game through Sony LIV and Jio TV. Meanwhile, those in France can watch the match on Canal + Foot, 6play Free, Molotov and M6. Football fans in Netherlands can catch the live action via watch ESPN and Veronica TV.
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