Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery will be in action against his former side Marseille in the first-leg of the Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday
Ribery has already scored 14 goals this season, in all competitions. Reuters

When and Where: The Champions League quarter-final first leg kicks-off from the Stade Velodrome at 2.45 p.m. ET. A live stream will be available on FoxSoccer2Go.

Preview: For Marseille, the Champions League has become the salvation in an otherwise appalling season. The 2010 French champions currently sit in ninth place in Ligue 1 and are closer to the relegation zone than top spot.

And progressing to the Champions League quarter-finals after a dramatic late goal against Inter in the last round has done nothing to lift the domestic form of Didier Deschamp's side.

After a home loss to Dijon, Marseille compounded their dismal campaign by being knocked out of the French cup after a 3-2 defeat to third-tier side Quevilly.

Marseille's form could hardly contrast more sharply with that of their opponents on Wednesday, Bayern Munich.

The Bavarians are currently on a five-match winning run-if you include their German Cup shoot-out victory over Gladbach--that was started by a 7-0 win over Hoffenheim and also includes a 7-0 demolition over Basle in the second-leg of their Champions League round-of-16 encounter.

Bayern is a huge threat going forward right now with Mario Gomez scoring goals for fun and Franck Ribery playing some of the best soccer of his career after a difficulty spell in Munich.

Add in Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller and Bayern is a team that no defense will look forward to coming up against right now.

Team News: Marseille will be missing Steve Mandanda after the goalkeeper was needlessly sent off in conceding a penalty in the dying seconds against Inter. Suspension also rules out defender Souleymane Diawara, who would not have played anyway having suffered a cruciate ligament injury at the weekend.

Loic Remy is also likely to miss out, with the goal scoring hero against Inter, Brandao, set to start in his place up front.

Bastian Schweinsteiger has traveled with the Bayern squad, with boss Juup Heynckes to make a late decision on whether to include the midfielder in the squad. Other than defenders Daniel van Buyten and Breno, the rest of the Bayern squad is fit for selection.

Ribery, not universally appreciated in his homeland, will be eager to show the French public just how good he has been of late with a sparkling performance against his former club.

Prediction: Already significant underdogs, the loss of Mandanda and Remy are significant losses for Deschamp's men. Although Marseille still have quality players in their lineup, its recent form and general inconsistency this campaign means Bayern will be confident of taking a positive result back to Germany next week.

With Ribery likely to be fired up and with the supporting cast around him, Bayern should at least get an away goal to put them in pole position in the tie.

Marseille 1-2 Bayern Munich

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