Verdict: Arda Guler over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
Getting their Champions League charge underway on Tuesday night, Real Madrid will welcome Marseille to the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid
Starting with the hosts, ending the 2024/25 campaign without a single piece of silverware to show for their troubles, Real Madrid have certainly got a new era underway over the summer. Now under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, Los Blancos are certainly enjoying life under the former Bayer Leverkusen boss. Enjoying a stellar start to proceedings, the Spanish giants will be looking to open their Champions League adventure with a heavyweight statement on home soil. Last seen marking their return from September’s international break with an eye-catching 2-1 victory away at Real Sociedad, Madrid have won their first four La Liga appearances by an aggregate score of 8-2. Once again regarded as a standout European contender this season, Tuesday’s hosts have suffered just a pair of Champions League defeats at the Bernabeu over the past four years.
Real Madrid Team News
While ex-Bournemouth defender and summer recruit Dean Huijsen might have been shown a La Liga red card over the weekend, the Spanish international is free to feature here. However, yet to make a single appearance this season, Real Madrid are once again expected to be without midfield talisman Jude Bellingham on Tuesday night.
Despite only making a cameo appearance off the bench on Saturday, former Liverpool superstar Trent Alexander-Arnold should be handed a full recall. Finding the net in back-to-back La Liga appearances on either side of September’s International break, Arda Guler will keep his spot from the start.
Marseille
As for the visitors, managing to claim a much-welcomed boost over the weekend as they cruised their way to a 4-0 romp at home against Lorient, Marseille will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. However, getting their domestic campaign underway with a 1-0 defeat away at Rennes on August 15th, it has been suggested that Roberto De Zerbi could have some mounting pressure on his shoulders at the Stade Velodrome. Facing what is a monumental challenge when they travel over to the Spanish capital on Tuesday night, the former Brighton boss also knows the importance of finding some crucial defensive stability. In fact, Marseille have registered just a single clean sheet across any competition since the start of March.
Marseille Team News
Limping off with a first-half knock against Lorient over the weekend, Marseille are sweating over the fitness of Algerian international Amine Gouiri ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Madrid. However, despite serving a recent domestic suspension, former Burnley defender CJ Egan-Riley will return to De Zerbi’s travelling squad.
Making an immediate impact after arriving from Saudi-based outfit Al Qadisiya over the summer, former Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be handed a full recall here. Completing a shock Deadline Day switch from Inter Milan, Benjamin Pavard will start at the back.
Real Madrid vs Marseille Key Factors to Consider
- When Real Madrid and Marseille last met back in 2009, Los Blancos collected a 3-1 victory on foreign soil.
- Real Madrid have won their first four La Liga appearances this season by an aggregate score of 8-3.
- Marseille have mustered just a single competitive clean sheet across any competitions since the start of March.
- Los Blancos have suffered just a pair of Champions League defeats in front of their own supporters over the past four years.
- The four historic showdowns between Real Madrid and Marseille have proceeded 16 goals at both ends of the pitch.
Conclusion
Clearly enjoying life under Alonso’s guidance, Real Madrid have come flying out of the traps since opening up the new campaign. Winning all of their first four La Liga appearances by an aggregate score of 8-3, the Spanish icons will be confident of opening their Champions League adventure with an early statement of intent. Suffering just a pair of European defeats in front of their own supporters over the past four years, Alonso’s superstar squad should be confident of testing a Marseille defence that has shown some extended inconstancies.
Verdict: Arda Guler over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
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