Last term the two sides were vying for a Champions League qualification, but while Marseille are again hoping for a top 3 finish, Nice find themselves just two positions above the relegation zone, albeit at a safe distance.

This season has not been too successful for OM, so no wonder the club chiefs plan a major squad overhaul in the summer.

Marseille have failed to pick up a single point from six Champions League games, while crashing out of both domestic cups in a space of six days, with none other than Nice running out 5-4 winners at Stade Velodrome.

Jose Anigo’s side can still turn the current campaign into a relative success by achieving a top 3 finish, but that will be no easy task.

Marseille had closed the gap behind their rivals by taking 11 points from 5 league fixtures, but they could do little to avoid a 2-0 defeat at Parc des Princes.

Therefore, OM now face a must-win game against struggling Nice, with home win paying 1.55 (5/9) with BetVictor.

Team’s preparations for the game have been hindered by international friendlies on Wednesday, although the club have pulled all the stops to ensure all players take part in Thursday’s training session.

Top scorer Andre-Pierre Gignac, however, misses out through suspension, whilst Saber Khalifa is doubtful with a thigh problem.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Mandanda – Fanni, N’Koulou, Mendes, Morel – Romao, Cheyrou – Payet, Valbuena, Thauvin – Ayew.

Nice may have enjoyed a bright start to the season, but things quickly started taking a turn for the worse on all fronts.

Les Aiglons were first eliminated from Europe before losing seven straight matches in Ligue 1 to slip into the danger zone.

Claude Puel’s side eventually showed a great deal of improvement, but they are now going through another dismal period.

Nice not only lost four of last five matches in all competitions, but only managed to score one goal in the process, so no doubts they face an uphill task at Stade Velodrome.

However, having scored five goals on their last visit there, les Aiglons are 1.77 (7/9) to score at least once this time out.

Lloyd Palun misses out through suspension, but first choice keeper David Ospina has served his ban for a red card he received against Guingamp.

Timothee Kolodziejczak is doubtful, whereas Pejcinovic, Digard, M. Traore, Bruins and Pentecote are definitely out.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Ospina – Puel, Genevois, Bodmer, Kolodziejczak – Bruls, Mendy, Abriel, Eysseric – Bautheac, Cvitanich.