Marseille vs Nice: Five Mediterranean Derby clashes

Kick-off

Two bitter Ligue 1 rivals, Marseille and Nice, will face off in the ninth round of the 2022/23 Ligue 1 season on Sunday, 23rd October 2022. The match will be played at the iconic Stade Velodrome in Marseille, with kick-off scheduled for 13:00 CEST (12:00 GMT).

Marseille vs Nice: Five Mediterranean Derby clashes - The History

The rivalry between Marseille and Nice, often referred to as the "Mediterranean Derby" or the "Derby du Soleil" (Derby of the Sun), is one of the most intense and passionate in French football. The two clubs are separated by just 200 kilometers along the Mediterranean coast, and their matches are always fiercely contested, both on and off the pitch. The first meeting between Marseille and Nice took place on 11th November 1933, with Nice winning 2-1 at home. Since then, the two teams have played 104 competitive matches, with Marseille winning 44, Nice winning 30, and 30 matches ending in a draw. Some of the most memorable matches between Marseille and Nice have included a 5-4 victory for Marseille in 1971, a 6-3 win for Nice in 1977, and a 5-1 triumph for Marseille in 2009. In recent years, the rivalry between Marseille and Nice has been even more intense, with both clubs competing for European qualification. In the 2021/22 season, Marseille finished second in Ligue 1, while Nice finished fifth.

Marseille vs Nice: Five Mediterranean Derby clashes - Key Battles

There are several key battles to watch out for in the Marseille vs Nice match on Sunday. * *Dimitri Payet (Marseille) vs Youcef Atal (Nice)*: Two of the most dangerous attacking players in Ligue 1, Payet and Atal will be looking to make a difference for their respective teams. * *Matteo Guendouzi (Marseille) vs Jean-Clair Todibo (Nice)*: Two young French midfielders, Guendouzi and Todibo will be vying for control of the center of the pitch. * *Alexis Sanchez (Marseille) vs Kasper Schmeichel (Nice)*: Two experienced internationals, Sanchez and Schmeichel will be looking to lead their teams to victory.

Marseille vs Nice: Five Mediterranean Derby clashes - Prediction

Marseille and Nice are two of the most in-form teams in Ligue 1 at the moment, so this match is sure to be a close one. Marseille will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to six matches, while Nice will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to Lille last weekend. Overall, Marseille will be the slight favorites to win the match, but Nice are always a dangerous opponent, especially at home. A draw would probably be a fair result, but don't be surprised if either team comes out on top.