Olympique de Marseille - RC Lens

- kick-off: 21:45 CEST

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Payet was missing for Marseille's trip to Angers SCO on Wednesday, and les Phocéens could have done with his inspiration in the final third after settling for a goalless draw despite having dominated at the Stade Raymond Kopa.

Sampaoli rang the changes around the hour mark but to no avail. With Payet a doubt with a thigh complaint and Arkadiuz Milik definitely sidelined with a groin strain, the coach has limited options over a run of games which also includes a meeting with Galatasary in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.

Better than Bielsa?

Marseille remain Paris Saint-Germain's closest pursuers at the top of Ligue 1 Uber Eats, seven points back from the capital club but with a game in hand, but Sampaoli is loath to compare this Marseille side to the one who finished fourth under Marcelo Bielsa in 2014/15.

Watch: Highlights of Marseille's goalless draw at Angers

"For me, the comparisons are exaggerated," the coach said of his fellow South American, now of Leeds. "We’ve just started the season; we don't know what'll happen in the next few weeks with a crowded fixture list. There will obviously be hurdles for us."

With Payet and Milik absence, 21-year-old Bamba Dieng is likely to lead the line once again. Behind him, Arsenal-owned pair Matteo Guendouzi and William Saliba are likely to be restored to the starting line-up, the latter receiving special praise from his coach this week.

'Future great'

"He's a top player in his position," Sampaoli said. "We were lucky to get him on loan, it wasn't simple. He's great at marking, and good bringing the ball out too. He's a future great of French football."

Saliba might have to be at his best to keep Lens at bay. Le Sang et Or begin the day just two points back from Marseille in fourth. Franck Haise's men would have gone second had RC Strasbourg not ended their two-game winning run - and six without defeat - with their 1-0 win on Wednesday.

Watch: Highlights of Lens' 1-0 loss to Strasbourg

Lens ended a 15-year wait to beat northern rivals LOSC last Saturday and they were unfortunate that Ludovic Ajorque's goal proved enough to separate the sides in midweek. Haise hopes his side bounce back quickly.

'Start again'

"We have to digest what happened and start again," he said. "We have to flick a switch. I think what they did, they did very well, even if they were frustrated or nervousness. They tried to equalise until the 95th minute. We have a few days to digest it but obviously it's never very easy."

Samba Sow recently re-signed for the club following his release from Nottingham Forest, but the defensive midfielder is unlikely to start so soon, especially with the job Cheick Doucouré and Seko Fofana have been doing paired in the middle of the park. Striker Corentin Jean is the only absentee due to a thigh injury.

Possible teams

Marseille: Lopez; Saliba, Balerdi, Peres; Under, Kamara, De La Fuente; Gerson, Guendouzi, Harit; Dieng

Lens: Leca; Gradit, Danso, Medina; Clauss, Doucouré, Fofana, Frankowski; Kakuta; Sotoca, Ganago