Rafa Benitez Napoli
Napoli manager Rafa Benitez directs a training session ahead of their Champions League encounter against Marseille, October 21Reuters

After two successive losses in this year's Champions League group of death, Marseille know even a point at home against Napoli on Tuesday night will not be enough.

The French side were thought to be the weakest in Group F when the draw was made, with the other three featuring Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli.

If the first two matchdays are anything to go by, then it does look like Marseille are going to be the bottom side come the end of the group stages. However, if Marseille want to change that particular impression, it's pretty simple - pick up a win, a convincing one preferably, over Napoli.

"The squad have been showing a lot of intensity and involvement in their work, we are in good spirits," Marseille manager Elie Baup said. "Tomorrow (Tuesday) we will have to produce a good performance, play some good football and get a result. We will keep an eye on what is happening in the other match (Arsenal vs Borussia Dortmund in London) but it is up to us to play our own game.

"Napoli are a very quick team that play well going forward. They know how to create situations quickly, on the break. They are a team full of great players but we will give everything to win. The important thing is to keep faith that we can qualify. We still have hope, we will give everything to do it."

Napoli, on the other hand, made a great start to life in the Champions League, topping last year's finalists Dortmund in the opening game of the group stages.

However, they were quickly brought back down to earth by an excellent Arsenal side three weeks ago, and Rafa Benitez, whose side also lost out on the weekend to Roma, will want to see his side bounce back from that 2-0 disappointment.

"We have a strong team with a lot of character and I am convinced that we will show that on the pitch [on Tuesday night]," Benitez said. "It is important to both teams to win, and we have to make sure the result goes our way.

"They [Marseille] will want to prove themselves and show they can win the game, but our determination will shine through. We are in the so-called group of death. Our season does not depend on [the game against Marseille] but this group might, and it will be very important to take the three points."

This will be the first time that the two clubs meet in their history, and neither will want to begin the rivalry on a losing note.

Team News: Lucas Mendes and Saber Khalifa are ruled out for Marseille, but Kassim Abdallah and Dimitri Payet are available.

Raul Albiol and Gonzalo Higuain returned to action at the weekend, along with Christian Maggio. Miguel Brittos and Camilo Zuniga, though, will miss the game.

Key men: Marseille: The little playmaker Mathieu Valbuena is always key to the French club's fortunes, and he will have to be at his best to unlock the Napoli defence.

Napoli: Gonzalo Higuain was missed considerably in the loss to Arsenal, and the former Real Madrid man will be keen to notch a couple of goals for himself against Marseille.

Where to watch

The game is scheduled for a 12.15 a.m. IST start on Wednesday morning, with no live telecast on any channels.

Expected lineups: Marseille: Mandanda; Fanni, N'Koulou, Diawara, Morel; Romao, Imbula; Payet, Valbuena, A Ayew; Gignac.

Napoli: Reina; Maggio, Albiol, Cannavaro, Mesto; Inler, Behrami; Callejon, Hamsik, Insigne; Higuain.

Prediction: 2-1 to Napoli