Marseille's possession meets a Sturm side whose best attacks come from supported receivers after a recovery. The visitors have useful wide delivery, but their recent wins have still allowed opponents to reach dangerous positions. Sturm's latest attacking combinations give this contest a more competitive shape than their heavy European defeat alone suggests.
Seidl receiving close to Weinhandl and Diakité is the important home connection. Weinhandl supplied Diakité in Vienna, while Seidl found him twice in the derby. Marseille's advancing wide players create room for those connections, and their matches against Troyes and Angers showed that having more of the ball did not consistently stop the next opposing attack.
Sturm's injury list limits alternatives, but the players behind those recent combinations were already operating without the missing attackers. Khudyakov's confirmed injury brings Helac into the goalkeeper role. Marseille can call on a returning Hojbjerg, although his starting role and minutes remain undecided.
I expect Marseille to carry more possession early, with Sturm looking to connect their first recovery to a nearby receiver rather than clear into isolation. Deliveries, second balls and fresh attackers should become increasingly important after the interval. That's why I'm siding with Sturm Graz to stay unbeaten in this match.
