Toulouse vs Olympique Marseille Prediction: Marseille have to fight for a point

Toulouse and Olympique Marseille head into this match having drawn their previous games. The 1-1 draw at OGC Nice was a real battling performance from Toulouse, really after the break, as it did very well to get a late equalizer. In Marseille, the 2-2 draw against Stade Reims for all the world looks like a game of two halves: brilliant in attack, but equally brilliant at showing continual weaknesses at the back.

Toulouse will have to try and follow that basic methodology against Marseille: a foundation of defensive solidity and quick transitions. So far, they've shown the ability to stack the midfield in numbers and press high without the ball to force mistakes from opponents. Most probably, Toulouse will be looking to get at the spaces behind Marseille's full-backs that like to push high. Above all, the key to nullifying Marseille's threats will be Toulouse's tactical discipline.

Under their current management, Marseille, at all costs, aims to attack playing with width and fluency in attack. Though, it is more of an expansive shape with wide men stretching not only opponents but allowing room for forwards to play in. This, though, does sometimes leave them open to a counter-attack, which will be one such avenue that Toulouse may look to exploit. Keeping pace in this game and not allowing the dam to break are the types of things the keys to this one hold for Marseille.

Historically, it's Marseille that has dominated the two with many triumphs. Recently, they have enjoyed the superiority in this duel. Toulouse, however, has grown really stubborn at home, repeatedly managing to surprise Marseille due to compact sets of defense and counter-attack football. The last few matches between the two teams were quite mixed and rather close matches with small margins of win.

Going by recent form, as well as the tactical set-up of both teams, this one should really be a close contest. Toulouse boasts home advantage and a well-drilled defense that might just make life difficult for the on-the-roam Marseille. However, l'OM is alive in their attack and creates opportunities through the wide positions, so it may just tip their way. A draw could easily be the result, but should either side capitalize on their opponent's weaknesses, a narrow victory could well be possible.

This should be an extremely tight game with both teams creating chances, so Marseille may be slight favorites with better depth of squad, attacking firepower, and the surprising back-to-the-wall performance shown at Monaco. Toulouse's resilience and home advantage make a draw slightly more likely.

• Both Teams to Score at 1.72 Odds
• More than 2.5 Goals at 1.79 Odds
• Draw Full Time at 3.50 Odds