Cash-rich Marseille can sizzle in Salzburg

Kick-offs from 4pm Thursday

Marseille have splashed the cash in 2017 in an effort to be competitive on the domestic and European stages and they look a tasty bet to topple Europa League Group I rivals Salzburg in Austria.

The French giants were 1-0 winners at home to Konyaspor on matchday one and have posted back-to-back league successes away to Amiens (2-0) and at home to Toulouse (2-0).

Star man Dimitri Payet has had an injury-hit start to the season, completing 90 minutes on just three occasions, but is available and, in any case, others have stepped up to the plate.

Pacy attacker Clinton Njie has netted five goals in his last six matches and centre-forward Valere Germain – a summer signing from Monaco – has scored five goals in five Europa League appearances.

Marseille have a long way to go before competing with domestic heavyweights Paris St-Germain and Monaco but they are going the right way and should continue to flourish in the Europa League.

Salzburg started off with a solid enough performance to draw 1-1 away to Vitoria Guimaraes but can expect a tougher match against Marseille and may struggle to justify favouritism.

Swedish outfit Ostersunds had a great time on their Europa League group stage debut, winning 2-0 at Zorya Luhansk, but they are likely to come crashing back down to earth when hosting Hertha Berlin.

Ostersunds are a progressive side, who are well coached by English manager Graham Potter but they may well come up short against a powerful Bundesliga outfit.

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Hertha had a creditable 0-0 draw at home to Athletic Bilbao and their fixture in Sweden is a significant step down in grade.

Istanbul Buyuksehir have spent of lot of money to establish themselves as one of the strongest teams in Turkey and look a value bet to win on the road against Braga.

Buyuksehir gave Sevilla a good run for their money in the Champions League playoff round, losing 4-3 on aggregate, and can defeat a Braga side flattered by their 2-1 success at Hoffenheim.

Recommendations
Marseille
1pt 2-1 bet365
Hertha Berlin
1pt 13-10bet365, Betfred, Betway
Istanbul Buyuksehir draw no bet
1pt 7-5Betway

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