Verdict: Draw
Best Odds: 13/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
Two camps who know that they can temporarily climb to the top of the Ligue 1 table, Marseille will travel to the Stade de la Meinau on Friday night when they meet Strasbourg.
Strasbourg
Starting with the hosts, while Strasbourg might have entered September’s international break with a dramatic 3-2 loss away at Monaco, Liam Rosenior’s men have come roaring back in an eye-catching fashion. Last seen clinching their own 3-2 victory against Ligue 1 debutants Paris FC, the former Hull City boss has seen his squad gain a string of plaudits from across France’s elite. Getting their iconic Europa Conference League adventure underway next month, Le Racing have won four of their previous five appearances across all competitions. Likewise, getting the 2025/26 campaign underway with a gritty 1-0 victory against Metz on August 17th, Strasbourg have also suffered just a single Ligue 1 defeat at the Stade de la Meinau since the start of February.
Strasbourg Team News
While the duo of Lucas Hogsberg and Rabbi Nzingoula might have missed out last weekend after serving respective suspensions, both will return to Rosenior’s squad here. However, despite completing a summer switch from Brighton, Julio Enciso remains on the sidelines with a knee injury and will not feature.
Making his Strasbourg debut last week, England international Ben Chilwell should keep his spot at the back. Coming off the bench and finding the net on his first appearance of the season, 22-year-old Guela Doue will certainly get some more minutes under his belt.
Marseille
As for the visitors, claiming an immediate response on Monday night as they clinched a sensational 1-0 victory at home against defending champions PSG, Marseille certainly laid down a major statement of intent. Despite getting their Champions League adventure underway with a late collapse away at Spanish giants Real Madrid last week as they eventually fell to a 2-1 loss, Roberto De Zerbi’s men couldn’t have dreamed of a better response. However, failing to register consecutive victories across all competitions since opening up the 2025/26 campaign, Marseille have shown some extended issues on the road. Getting proceedings underway with a 1-0 defeat against Rennes on August 15th, the former Brighton boss has seen his squad lose all of their first three matchups away from the Stade Velodrome by an aggregate score of 4-1.
Marseille Team News
Yet to feature since returning from September’s international break, Marseille are once again expected to be without Bournemouth loanee Hamed Junior Traore on Friday night. Landing that sensational 1-0 win against PSG earlier in the week, De Zerbi could be tempted to name on uncharged XI.
Bagging the winner on Monday night after completing a Deadline Day move from West Ham this month, Nayef Aguerd will start at the heart of De Zerbi’s defence. Bagging a brace against Paris FC on August 23rd, former Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be handed a full recall and lead the line.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Strasbourg and Marseille last met back on January 19th, Friday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate at the Stade Velodrome.
- In fact, three of the previous four showdowns between Friday’s opponents have finished in a 1-1 draw.
- Strasbourg have also suffered just a single Ligue 1 defeat at the Stade de la Meinau since the start of February.
- Marseille have lost their opening three away fixtures across all competitions by an aggregate score of 4-1.
- Five of the last six meetings between Strasbourg and Marseille have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Clinching what was a stunning 1-0 victory at home against reigning domestic and European champions PSG on Monday night, Marseille will be desperate to make another public statement here. However, losing all of their first three away fixtures across all competitions by an aggregate score of 4-1, they will meet a Strasbourg squad who have once again received a string of plaudits since opening up the new campaign. With Friday’s opponents playing out a 1-1 stalemate when they last met back in January, it should be noted that five of their last six meetings have finished in a draw.
Verdict: Draw
Best Odds: 13/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
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