Olympique Marseille

The Case For Them

Here is the argument for Olympique Marseille: France, France Ligue 1, and a ground called Stade Vélodrome. A second team should give you something your first one cannot, and this is a different country's whole weather system.

• The calendar you inherit

  Following France Ligue 1 means odd kick-off hours, a new commentary language and a table you will check before your own club's. France becomes part of your week.

• Old enough to matter

  1899 is the founding date, old enough that the club has survived a war, a rebuild and at least one financial scare, young enough that the good years are still in living memory.

• Nothing won, everything to play for

  No major honours on record, which means every cup run is uncharted territory and every promotion feels like a coronation.

• Home is home

  Stade Vélodrome is the address. Learn the walk from the station to the turnstile and you have most of what supporting a club actually is.