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LIGUE 1 TEAM PREVIEWS
OLYMPIQUE MARSEILLE
Coach: Eric Gerets (Bel)
The much-capped former Belgian defender has been a coach for 16 years now and France is now his fifth country as a coach. He has won titles in Belgium (Lierse, Club Brugge), Netherlands (PSV) and Turkey (Galatasaray).
He arrived at Marseille in September 2007 with the club hovering above the relegation zone after a disastrous start to the season; eight months later, he had dragged them up to third and a place in the Champions League qualifying rounds.
Much is expected this season after Gerets' first eight months showed what Marseille's players are capable of with the right man at the helm.
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Recent record: (Pos); Pl; W-D-L; F-A; Pts
2007/08: (3rd); 38; 17-11-10; 58-45; 62
2006/07: (2nd); 38; 19-7-12; 53-30; 64
2005/06: (5th); 38; 16-12-10; 44-35; 60
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Transfers, Loans, Retirements...
IN: Riou (Toulouse, GK); Hilton (Lens, DF); Kone (Nice, FW); Ben Arfa (Lyon, MF); Erbati (Raja Casablanca, MF);
OUT: Carrasso (Toulouse, GK); Faty (Sochaux, DF); Nasri (Arsenal, MF);
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Star Player:
Djibril Cisse, the former Auxerre player who has been accused of flattering to deceive, given his mixed spell at Liverpool. Injuries didn't help during his time in England but the feeling was always that - as showed at Auxerre - he works better as the star of the team and that was never going to be the case at a club like Liverpool. His 16 league goals last season was the driving force behind Marseille's third-place finish.
His record in France (94 goals in 185 games) suggests an injury-free Cisse might well expect another similar haul in 2008/09; with new signing Bakary Kone in assistance, expect Marseille to be high goalscorers.
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Summary:
Gerets will be hoping the loss of Nasri to Arsenal will be mitigated by the arrival of Ben Arfa from rivals Lyon. Elsewhere, the teams seems to have strengthened with the arrival of Bakary Kone up front to partner Djibril Cisse and in midfield they have the likes of Zenden to create chances.
The danger is defensively; even when finishing in the top five in recent seasons, they have found themselves losing at least 10 league games a season. Whilst Gerets got l'OM winning again, it didn't reduce the number of goals conceded. This remains a massive concern if you're thinking of punting on them to win the title.
However, their attacking capabilities make an argument for them to end up outscoring their opponents in enough games and odds above $3.50 look great value for Marseille to end Lyon's domestic dominance and win Ligue 1.
TO WIN LIGUE 1:
Bet on Marseille to win Ligue 1 : $4.50 @ Bet365
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Match Previews 20-22 December:
Betzine UK is covering just the 15 games this weekend, with the Bundesliga shutting for the winter break.
Among the games are Arsenal against Liverpool at The Emirates, plus Everton's hosting of Chelsea.
read the Previews...:
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*** BETZINE UK RECORD ***
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*** LATEST PROMOTIONS ***
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Paddy Power
London Calling! (Sun 31st Aug)
If Deco scores at anytime, Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st /last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on the match.
Click to open an account with Paddy Power
Read more about the promotion HERE
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Weekend Match Reports
Links to the match reports of games in the Premiership, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga
HERE
Starting this season; news feed for ALL Premiership teams available on Betzine UK
Read the news section HERE
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