Monaco vs. Marseille: Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Ligue 1 Game

After their fantastic performance in the Champions League in midweek, AS Monaco are back to Ligue 1 action on Sunday when they look to keep the good fortune going when they host Marseille at the Stade Louis II.

The Monegasque side beat Zenit Saint-Petersburg 2-0 on Tuesday, not only securing qualification to the last 16, but Bayer Leverkusen’s failure to beat Benfica meant that Monaco finish the group in first place.

Without the distraction of European football Marseille are flying high on top of Ligue 1 at the moment. Once again they could be playing catch-up, with Paris Saint-Germain playing Guingamp earlier in the day.

Marcelo Bielsa’s men know they may have to win on Sunday night if they want to keep that top spot. Monaco’s league form has not been brilliant this season, but two wins in a row should have Leandro Jardim’s men in good spirits, and looking to climb from their current seventh spot.

Here are the key issues and decisions that will shape Sunday’s Ligue 1 game in Monaco.

Can Monaco Survive a Champions League Hangover?

Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

Monaco are on a high right now.

After playing in the Champions League, Monaco has only won two of the league games that has followed their midweek exploits.

Those games came against Guingamp and Bastia; they then drew against PSG and Saint-Etienne and lost against Rennais last time out.

Both wins came after their home Champions League games, but the opposition was not anywhere near what they will face with Marseille on Sunday.

Leandro Jardim has been struggling for consistency in his team’s performances this season, and Sunday would be a great chance to continue their excellent form with an unexpected victory.

Can Dimitri Payet Continue to Be Marseille’s Talisman?

Kaz Photography/Getty Images

Payet has been excellent for Marseille.

French playmaker Dimitri Payet currently leads Ligue 1 with eight assists and his late goal against Metz was his fifth strike of the season. It’s safe to say that the 27-year-old is in fine form this campaign.

One of the biggest criticisms throughout his career has been consistency. In his earlier years he was hit and miss for both Nantes and Saint-Etienne and it took him 12 months at Lille before he found top gear in Northern France.

In his last season at Les Dogues he had 12 goals and 12 assists, sparking Marseille’s move to take him to the Stade Velodrome last season.

With last season turning out very average, his performances this campaign has been a breath of fresh air under Bielsa. But can the France international keep it going?

Without Payet to feed the supply line to Andre-Pierre Gignac, it would be hard for OM to continue their title challenge. Right now, stop Payet and you stop Les Phoceens.

Will Monaco’s Defence Hold Up Against the Marseille Test?

Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

Abdennour needs to build on Tuesday's goal.

For Jardim, it has not been a good season defensively for Monaco. Injuries, suspensions and form have meant his back four his had an air of inconsistency about it.

Left-back Layvin Kurzawa is out until the New Year with a calf tear. Both Ricardo Carvalho and Aymen Abdennour haven’t looked as solid as the Eric Abidal/Carvalho partnership was last season and new boy Wallace hasn’t quite settled, as his red card against Lens in Week 16 showed.

Midfield veteran Jeremy Toulalan was asked to deputise there in the last two league games and it made a huge difference. There was organisation and a solidity about the back four, but with Geoffrey Kondogbia out injured, it’s not something Jardim could do long term.

Playing against the best attack in the league will be a huge test for the creaking Monegasque back line.

Can Dimitar Berbatov Continue His Hot Streak?

Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

Can Berbatov be the hero?

After going three months without scoring a Ligue 1 goal this season, Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov is on fire once again.

He has scored three goals in his last two league games, including a wonderful outside-of-the-boot effort to open the scoring in the 2-0 win over Toulouse.

The former Manchester United forward has suffered some injuries this campaign, but he had gone over 400 minutes without a goal before the injury.

Jardim is happy to see his forward back amongst the goals and if they are to stand any chance of beating Marseille on Sunday, they will need Berbatov to make it at least four goals in three games.

He did manage it at the end of last season. That was Berbatov back to his mercurial best, and that’s what Jardim needs from him again this season.