Olympique de Marseille - FC Lorient

- Kick-off: 17:00 BST

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Marseille have won 10 of a possible 15 points since Sampaoli succeeded André Villas-Boas as coach in February, and they were minutes away from making it four wins out of five against Montpellier Hérault SC on Sunday.

OM played the last half-hour shorthanded at the Stade de la Mosson after Duje Caleta-Car was sent off, but it wasn't until the final minute that Gaëtan Laborde snatched a 3-3 draw for the hosts.

European chase

Marseille remain sixth in the league on 49 points, with three to make up on RC Lens who occupy the fifth and final European qualification place, but Sampaoli was keener to focus on his side's performance than their points haul after the game.

Watch: Highlights of Marseile's 3-3 draw with Montpellier

"We're in a phase of integrating a playing philosophy," he said. "This game brings us closer to the hard work and mindset necessary to develop a playing style that'll pay off in the end. I'm not here to get instant results, but to progress and put an idea in place.

"Of course, if we can get a good league position so much the better, but this was a step forward in our game, in terms of intentions and emotion."

Alvaro out, Sakai in?

One player not given the opportunity to further familiarise himself with Sampaoli's preferred 3-4-2-1 system on Saturday will be suspended Spanish centre-back Alvaro Gonzalez. Caleta-Car remains eligible to slot into a back three alongside Leonardo Balerdi and Hiroki Sakai this weekend, though.

Watch: Highlights of Marseille's 1-0 win over Lorient

Balerdi's goal proved to be the difference between the sides when Marseille beat Lorient 1-0 in October's reverse fixture, and les Merlus have been better than their league position might suggest for much of the season.

Relegation battle

Christophe Pélissier's side were riding a three-game undefeated run before losing 4-1 at Lens last Sunday, but they remain teetering dangerously above the relegation places, just two points better off than Nîmes Olympique, who occupy the relegation play-off place, and four above FC Nantes in the first of the two automatic spots in the drop zone.

Watch: Highlights of Lorient's 4-1 loss at Lens

"I think Lens were ruthlessly efficient," he lamented. "And we were quite the opposite, because we had chances, especially at 1-1. We could've taken advantage and we were punished defensively, which is an area we haven't been good. I'd like us to be respected as a team."

Full-strength

Armand Laurienté earned plenty of plaudits with his incredible free-kick against Nantes a few weeks ago, and all the players and staff deserve credit for agreeing to a recent pay cut amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but Lorient need points to reflect performances, and soon.

Midfielder Quentin Boisgard has a thigh strain, but Pélissier has an otherwise full-strength squad to call upon, with nine-goal Terem Moffi chief among those looking to capitalise on Marseille's reconstituted defence.

Possible line-ups

Marseille: Mandanda; Sakai, Balerdi, Perrin; Lirola, Kamara, Gueye, Nagatomo; Thauvin, Milik, Payet

Lorient: Dreyer: Hergault, Gravillon, Laporte, Chalobah, Le goff; Le Fée, Lemoine, Abergel; Moffi, Wissa