Ligue 1 champions Marseille are hoping to produce a major upset when they play host to Manchester United and create an advantage before the return leg at Old Trafford, although that is easier said than done. United have been in pretty good form of late and they remain the favourites to go through.

Ligue 1 remains the priority

After exactly 18 years Marseille managed to win the Ligue 1 title last season and OM are now looking to restore their domestic domination by defending the league title. Didier Deschamps’ team have had their share of problems this term, just like their title rivals, but they have shown a massive improvement lately and returned to the title race with three consecutive league wins. OM are now set to turn to the Champions League clash with Manchester United, but the boss remains adamant that the league campaign is still the priority, and he proved that by fielding the best possible side in the weekend’s game against St Etienne. That proved like a good decision as OM won the game, but the players could have tired legs going into this match and that is something Manchester United will know how to punish.

Key striker Andre-Pierre Gignac picked up an injury at the weekend and he is out of this clash, but Stephane MBia should return to the starting line-up. Loic Remy will start after shaking off a minor knock, but Rod Fanni and Mathieu Valbuena are major doubts, while Brandao is out with an ankle problem.

A major scare against Crawley

Manchester United had some problems at the start of the season and they didn’t reach top form until some time around Christmas, but in hindsight, Sir Alex Ferguson probably planned for that to happen. Midway through the season the Red Devils started playing to their potential, with Wayne Rooney and effervescent Ryan Giggs starting to go hand in hand with ever impressive Dimitar Berbatov and Nani, as a result of which United won 11 out of last 14 games, albeit ending their unbeaten record at Molineux. Sir Alex Ferguson used the FA Cup tie against minnows Crawley to rest all his starters for the Marseille game, although that almost backfired on him as his side could only record the narrow win. Nonetheless, all key players are now fresh for this game, unlike their Marseille counterparts and that should give the visitors the upper hand at Velodrome.

Chris Smalling will partner Nemanja Vidic in the heart of defence after Rio Ferdinand was ruled out through injury, while Ryan Giggs, Michael Owen, Anderson, Ji-Sung Park, Antonio Valencia and Jonny Evans didn’t make the trip.

Verdict

By fielding his strongest side in weekend’s game against St Etienne Didier Deschamps showed that Ligue 1 remains the priority and that could damage team’s chances in this match. Sir Alex Ferguson, on the other hand, rested his stars against Crawley, and that, together with United’s superior quality and experience, should help the visitors win this game.

Our prediction: Away win

Odds: 2.20 (6/5)

Bookmaker: Bodog