Ligue 1 action returns to the Stade Raymond Kopa today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, as Angers SCO hosts Olympique de Marseille. Kick-off is scheduled for 21:05 CET (20:05 GMT / 15:05 ET).
Marseille enters the fixture looking to solidify their position in the Champions League places, while Angers aims to distance themselves from the middle of the pack and push toward the top eight.
Match Information
| Feature | Details |
| Competition | Ligue 1 (Matchday 18) |
| Date | Saturday, January 17, 2026 |
| Kick-off | 21:05 CET / 20:05 GMT / 15:05 ET |
| Venue | Stade Raymond Kopa, Angers |
| Referee | Ruddy Buquet |
Olympique de Marseille Team News and Tactical Outlook
Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille side currently sits in 3rd place with 32 points. They are coming off a confidence-boosting 9–0 victory over Bayeux FC in the Coupe de France, a match that saw Mason Greenwood score a hat-trick. However, OM must address recent league inconsistency, having lost their last Ligue 1 outing 2–0 to Nantes.
Injury and Selection Updates:
AFCON Absence: Nayef Aguerd is unavailable as he prepares for the Africa Cup of Nations final with Morocco.
Defensive Doubts: Benjamin Pavard is a major doubt following a knock in training. Facundo Medina is expected to step into the central defense alongside Leonardo Balerdi.
Attacking Selection: Amine Gouiri is tipped to start ahead of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, while Hamed Traorè may replace Igor Paixão on the left wing following the latter's recent muscle concerns.
Key Player: Mason Greenwood leads the league with 11 goals and remains the primary offensive threat.
Angers SCO Team News and Tactical Outlook
Angers occupies 10th place with 22 points. While they have been difficult to beat at home—winning three of their last four at the Stade Raymond Kopa—Alexandre Dujeux’s side has struggled against top-three opposition this season, often losing by narrow margins.
Injury and Selection Updates:
Suspended: Midfielder Yassin Belkhdim is serving a suspension.
Injuries: Himad Abdelli is likely out with a knock. However, Jim Allevinah has made the squad list following a minor injury.
Goalkeeping: Hervé Koffi is expected to start despite recent international duty concerns, as he leads the league in saves per match (4.1).
Key Player: Sidiki Cherif remains their top scorer and the focal point of their counter-attacking transitions.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Olympique de Marseille (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Rulli
Defense: Murillo, Medina, Balerdi, Emerson Palmieri
Midfield: Højbjerg, Vermeeren; Weah, Greenwood, Hamed Traorè
Attack: Gouiri
Angers SCO (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Koffi
Defense: Arcus, Bamba, Lefort, Hanin
Midfield: Belkebla, Courcoul; Allevinah, Mouton, Sbaï
Attack: Cherif
Head-to-Head (H2H) and Match Stats
Unbeaten Streak: Marseille is unbeaten in their last 8 competitive meetings with Angers.
Previous Result: The teams played to a 2–2 draw in their last encounter in October 2025.
Defensive Record: Marseille has the best away defensive record in the league, conceding an average of only 0.88 goals per game on the road.
Angers Home Form: Angers has scored in six consecutive home matches, suggesting they are likely to test Marseille's makeshift backline.
Match Prediction
Marseille's superior individual quality and the goal-scoring form of Mason Greenwood make them the favorites. However, Angers is notoriously disciplined at home and has consistently challenged the league's top teams this season. A tight encounter is expected, but Marseille’s depth should prevail.
Final Score Prediction: Angers 1–2 Marseille
