Angers SCO - Olympique de Marseille

- Kick-off: 19:00 GMT

>> LIVE SCORING, STATS & COMMENTARY

Marseille have been leaders and champions Paris Saint-Germain's closest challengers this season, after making a formidable start to the new Ligue 1 Uber Eats campaign.

Tudo has picked up where Jorge Sampaoli left off last term, with les Phoceens only dropping four of a possible 24 points since the season kicked off, their 1-1 draw with Stade Rennais FC before the international break almost feeling like a blemish.

Former Gunners firing

The Arsenal old boys network has been working well for OM, with Alexis and Nuno Tavares contributing four and three goals respectively, although with Tavares suspended, yet another former Gunner in Sead Kolasinac is expected to start at left-back on Friday.

Watch: Highlights of Marseille's 1-1 draw with Rennes

Tudor joins Tavares in suspension having been cautioned on the touchline one time too many, with assistant manager Hari Vukas taking the team in his stead this weekend, but Tudor's message will remain loud and clear to the players.

"His requirements are precisely marking, the need to win duels, to run, press, and get back quickly to help out teammates," France midfielder Jordan Veretout explained. "When we have the ball we need to protect ourselves, get it out wide and put crosses in."

Veretout was one of three Marseille players called up for France's recent UEFA Nations League meetings with Austria and Denmark, alongside Matteo Guendouzi and Jonathan Clauss, but only Clauss featured.

Continental complications

OM have lost their two UEFA Champions League games so far this season, meanwhile - to Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt - and they have the chance to correct their European balance against Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday.

Given their domestic pursuit of PSG and the fact most of their players are rested, don't expect Marseille to rotate too much, though. Tudor's hand is forced in the case of Manchester United loanee Eric Bailly, who has a thigh injury.

Friday's hosts Angers are 12 places and points worse off than Marseille, although they have at least won each of their last two games, against Montpellier Herault SC and OGC Nice.

Watch: Highlights of Angers's 1-0 win at Nice

Don't look back in Angers

Tudor's opposite number Gerald Baticle has mixed things up in recent weeks, dropping goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni for Yahia Fofana and giving Abdallah Sima the chance to lead the attack. The turnaround has been welcome, but perhaps not necessary for him to keep his job.

"Baticle isn't at all under threat, I don't work like that," Angers president Said Chabane said recently. "Gerald's with me, and will remain with me. We'll speak with Gerald, there's no issue with him. He'll be on the bench next weekend, and he'll be on the bench until the end of the season."

Those youngsters have been ably assisted by Sofiane Boufal and Lois Diony in recent weeks. The former has had a suspension rescinded for the Marseille meeting but the latter has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a ruptured cruciate ligament. Ulrick Eneme Ella is also missing with a knee injury.

Possible teams

Angers: Fofana; Valery, Hountondji, Blazic, Doumbia; Mendy, Bentaleb; Thioub, Ounahi, Hunou; Sima

Marseille: Lopez; Mbemba, Gigot, Balerdi; Clauss, Rongier, Veretout, Kolasinac; Guendouzi, Harit; Alexis