Ce soir, allumez le feu. The memory of that chant makes my skin tingle. It is well over a decade since I played for Marseilles, but my recollections of European nights at the Stade Vélodrome are so vivid, it feels like yesterday that I was stepping out to play in one of the most extraordinary atmospheres you will find anywhere in the world. Tonight, light the fire. They certainly will this evening.

Expect flares, passion, songs, all the colour and noise you can handle. For European matches, the place is more like Istanbul than Provence. Strange as it may sound, it could work in Liverpool’s favour.

When the whole city is at a standstill and 55,000 fanatics inside the ground expect success and style, that brings pressure. And this young, mediocre Marseilles team are not equipped to handle it.

In contrast, Liverpool’s players are so used to big occasions that they are more likely to relish this match than fear it.

Marseilles’ 1-0 victory at Anfield early in October left everyone scratching their heads because Liverpool are clearly the superior team. All that you can say is that on the night Liverpool were so bad that a Coca-Cola Championship team could have beaten them and that the French side were inspired by their status as underdogs, which is not the case tonight.

The team play a cautious, counter-attacking style that is not in the club’s bold, free-scoring tradition, but it is being tolerated – just - by the fans because Maseilles are struggling in the French league, where they lie thirteenth with only five victories in 17 matches. They are set up to win by nicking the odd goal and do not pose much of a threat.

Lorik Cana, the midfield player, is a handful at set-pieces and Taye Taiwo, the defender, has a cannon of a shot, although his free kicks usually end up in the stands. Mamadou Niang, the striker, is quick but hit-and-miss. In open play, Marseilles try to keep possession and pass the ball about, but they are too obvious. They are also in the highly dangerous situation of probably needing only a draw, which encourages negativity.

There is no need for Rafael BenÍtez, the Liverpool manager, to overcomplicate matters. The way to beat Marseilles is straightforward: two wingers giving plenty of service to two strikers. Marseilles’ full backs are vulnerable, especially Taiwo, and the team will give you chances if you ask them questions.

It is set up for a thrilling evening, but the brilliance of the Marseilles crowd should not hide the limits of their team. Ten months ago Liverpool beat Barcelona in the Nou Camp, so they can definitely win at the Stade Vélodrome.

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• Graham Spiers