Our prediction for this Ligue 1 match:
Olympique Marseille will be aiming to extend their winning run to seven games when they face Monaco in the Ligue 1 derby. To make things even better for the fans, OM eliminated Rennes in the Coupe de France last 32 at the weekend, meaning that they are high on spirits ahead of Saturday’s showdown. Dimitri Payet was rested in the French Cup clash, but the experienced midfielder could play some part against Monaco, while Eric Bailly is banned for the match. Jonathan Clauss has yet to overcome a groin problem.
Meanwhile, les Rouges et Blancs rolled over Ajaccio 7-1 in their last league match, and given their attacking potential, we believe that punters from all four corners of the world can find value in betting on both teams to score. Mohamed Camara is banned for the match, while both Gelson Martins and Kevin Volland are out of contention with injuries.
Highlighted Player (Dimitri Payet):
![Dimitri Payet](https://footballpredictions.com/wp-content/plugins/fp-highlights/imageid/player/8442349.png)
Dimitri Payet was born in Saint-Pierre, Reunion on 29 March 1987, but he joined Le Havre’s famous youth academy in 1999 and has since enjoyed a meteoric rise. The attacking midfielder started his professional career at Nantes, but top French clubs soon started casting admiring glances his way and he went on to represent Saint Etienne, Lille and Marseille, becoming one of Ligue 1’s leading footballers.
However, it was the move to West Ham that placed Payet on the map as the Frenchman enjoyed a brilliant start to his career in England, making the PFA Player of the Year Shortlist. Some excellent performances in the Premier League persuaded France coach Didier Deschamps to reinstate Payet into his starting line-up and the midfielder paid the coach back with some scintillating displays on international stage.
Excellent with the ball at his feet and very dangerous from set pieces, Payet quickly established himself as one of Europe’s top midfielders, with the likes of Barcelona, Arsenal and other top clubs now after his signature.
Highlighted Team (Monaco):
![Monaco](https://footballpredictions.com/wp-content/plugins/fp-highlights/imageid/team/826.png)
Though based in Monaco, Les Rouges et Blances – as they are commonly referred to – play their games in the French football league system. Members of the top tier Ligue 1, Monaco play their home matches at the Stade Louis II in Fontvieille in front of 18,500 people. The Principality club boasts a turbulent history, which saw Monaco reach the highest heights of both domestic and international scene, but also get relegated to the amateur leagues at the very beginnings and to Ligue 2 in 2010-11 season.
The following year AS Monaco were acquired by the Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, whose heavy investments turned the Principality club into one of the biggest spenders in Europe in 2013 and reestablishing its place among Europe’s top clubs.
AS Monaco have had notable European results in the modern football era having been runners-up in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1992 and the UEFA Champions League in 2004. One of the most successful clubs in France AS Monaco have so far won seven league titles and five Coupe de France trophies.