Real Madrid v Marseille – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

These clubs are meeting for the first time in 16 years. Los Blancos have won all four matches this season whilst OM have made some big-name additions in the transfer window under Roberto De Zerbi.

Match: Real Madrid vs Marseille
When: Tuesday, 16 September 2025

Real Madrid Form

Los Blancos had a 2024-25 season to forget with no silverware. They finished second in La Liga, exited the Champions League in the quarter-finals and leaked four or more goals in each of the four matches vs Barcelona. That saw Carlo Ancelotti depart the club.

After a mixed Club World Cup where they were knocked out by PSG in a 4-0 defeat, they’ve won all four matches to start this season. A 1-0 home win over Osasuna was followed by a 3-0 victory at Oviedo and a 2-1 win over Mallorca. On Saturday, they won 2-1 at Real Sociedad despite playing 58 minutes with ten men and allowing 23 shots.

Real Madrid Team News

Coach Xabi Alonso is without Antonio Rudiger after the defender’s injury on international duty. Endrick is set to miss out but three players are close to a return. Ferland Mendy is running again but this match may come too soon.

Jude Bellingham is nearing a return from a shoulder injury and Eduardo Camavinga is back in training. Fede Valverde will return in midfield whilst Dani Carvajal is battling Trent Alexander-Arnold to start at right back.

Real Madrid Motivation

Real Madrid will be much more possession-focused under their new coach. They will attack but also look to control games and defend with the ball.

Nothing less than a win will do in this first match. A draw would feel like a defeat.

Marseille Form

Marseille finished second in Ligue 1 last term, albeit a massive 19 points off PSG. Five defeats between round 23 and round 29 ended any vague title ambitions. This season began with a 1-0 defeat at Rennes as they had 24 shots and 72% possession.

A 5-2 thrashing of Paris FC saw a dominant display throughout. With ten men for an hour, they lost 1-0 away to Lyon as they allowed 3.04 xG. De Zerbi’s team were fortunate to face ten men for 80 minutes on Friday night in a 4-0 cruise over Lorient.

Marseille News

OM saw new signing Nayef Aguerd suffer a head injury in the last match. He is a doubt for this one. Amine Gouiri went off injured against Lorient with Matt O’Reilly likely to replace him.

Emerson Palmieri and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could come into the starting XI. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a possibility to lead the attack.

Marseille Motivation

Under their current coach, we can expect a very open and adventurous approach to this match.

This is free hit for Marseille. A draw would feel like a victory but they will try to attack and sneak the three points.

Key Stats

Real Madrid have won their last 4 matches

Real Madrid’s Mbappé has scored 55 goals in 87 UEFA Champions League matches

Marseille have lost 2 of their last 4 matches

Marseille have kept just 1 clean sheet in their last 14 matches

Verdict

This should be an exciting match with two modern coaches. Real Madrid should have enough for the three points with Mbappe a likely scorer against a French club.

Best Bet: Real Madrid win and Over 2.5 goals at 1.75

Featured Bet: Real Madrid win, Both Teams to Score Yes and Mbappe to score anytime at 2.90

Alternate Bet: Real Madrid to win by exactly 1 goal at 3.80