Vitória SC v Marseille background

Vitória SC have taken just one point from their opening three UEFA Europa League Group I games – and will need to end a run of disappointing home results in Europe when they entertain Marseille in Guimaraes if they are to remain in contention for a place in the knockout phase.

Previous meetings
• The teams met for the first time on matchday three, with Marseille prevailing 2-1 at the Stade Vélodrome after falling behind to a 17th-minute Rafael Martins strike. Lucas Ocampos brought the French club level before Maxime Lopez supplied the 76th-minute winner.

• Vitória SC's only encounters with French opponents prior to that match in Marseille were a pair of 2013/14 UEFA Europa League group stage games against Lyon – they drew 1-1 in France but lost 2-1 at home.

• Marseille's 11 games against Portuguese sides have produced the following results: W3 D2 L6. Moreover, they have never won in five visits to Portugal (D1 L4).

Form guide
• Vitória SC are without a victory in ten European matches (D3 L7), including defeats in three of their last four home fixtures. They have recorded just one win in 13 UEFA Cup and UEFA Europa League group stage encounters.

• Marseille are without a European away win in 2017, with two draws followed by a 1-0 defeat at Salzburg on matchday two.

• Fourth in the Liga and runners-up in the Portuguese Cup last season, Vitória SC are participating in their third UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League group stage. They failed to make it through in both 2005/06 and 2013/14.

• Fifth in France last term, Marseille last featured in the UEFA Europa League group stage in 2015/16 when they made it to the round of 32, eventually losing to Athletic Club. They were UEFA Cup runners-up in both 1998/99 and 2003/04.

Trivia and links
• The journey from Marseille to Guimaraes is around 1,150km.

• Vitória SC midfielder Alhassan Wakaso played in France last term with Lorient, figuring in a 4-1 home defeat by Marseille.

• Marseille striker Kostas Mitroglou won back-to-back Portuguese titles with Benfica in 2015/16 and 2016/17, scoring in a 2-0 win at Vitória SC last January.

• Marseille's Adil Rami won the 2015/16 UEFA Europa League with Sevilla, starting seven matches including the final against Liverpool.

• Suspended for next match if booked: Jubal (Vitória SC)

The coaches
• Vitória SC coach since summer 2016, Pedro Martins previously managed Marítimo (2012/13) and Rio Ave (2014/15) in this competition's group stage. A former Guimarães midfielder, he was capped once during his time at Sporting CP (1995–98).

• Marseille coach since October 2016, Rudi Garcia started out as a midfielder at Lille, returning to lead the club from 2008–13 and masterminding their domestic double triumph in 2010/11. He subsequently spent three seasons in charge at AS Roma.