Marseille vs Lens

The Orange Vélodrome takes center stage tonight, Saturday, January 24, 2026, for a top-of-the-table Ligue 1 clash as Marseille hosts league leaders RC Lens. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:05 UTC (15:05 ET / 21:05 local).

This is a true "heavyweight" battle with massive title implications. Lens currently sits in 1st place (43 points), leading PSG by a single point, while Marseille is in 3rd place (35 points). A win for the hosts would tighten the race significantly, while a Lens victory would cement their status as the team to beat in 2026.

Match Information

Marseille: The De Zerbi Revolution

Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille side is looking for a "measured response" following a bruising 3–0 midweek defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League. Despite that European setback, their domestic form has been explosive, highlighted by a 5–2 thrashing of Angers last week. The club has been active in the January window, signaling their intent to fight for the title.

Team News and Selection:

• New Arrivals: Arsenal prodigy Ethan Nwaneri (loan) and Quinten Timber (permanent from Feyenoord) have both joined this week. Timber is expected to make his debut tonight.

• Suspensions/Injuries: Angel Gomes is suspended for this clash. Benjamin Pavard and Emerson Palmieri are ruled out with injuries, while Nayef Aguerd faces a late fitness test.

• Key Player: Mason Greenwood is currently the league's top scorer with 12 goals. His partnership with Amine Gouiri remains the most lethal in France.

• Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Rulli; Murillo, Balerdi, Medina; Weah, Nadir, Højbjerg, Timber; Greenwood, Paixão; Gouiri.

Lens: The Phenomenal Leaders

Under Pierre Sage, Lens has been the story of the season. They arrive in the south of France on a staggering eight-match winning streak in the league. Their success is built on a rock-solid defense and a clinical counter-attack that has seen them dismantle the likes of PSG and Nice in recent months.

Team News and Selection:

• Defensive Absences: The leaders are missing several key pieces. Jonathan Gradit (leg fracture) and Jhoanner Chávez are out. Régis Gurtner and Amadou Haidara are also unavailable.

• Returning Firepower: Odsonne Édouard was rested in the last match and is expected to return to the starting XI to partner with Wesley Saïd.

• Stat to Watch: Matthieu Udol currently leads the league in "big chances created" (15), providing the primary service for their front line.

• Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Risser; Ganiou, Baidoo, Sarr; Abdulhamid, Thomasson, Bulatovic, Udol; Thauvin, Saïd; Édouard.

? Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats

• Recent Dominance: Lens has won the last two meetings against Marseille, including a 2–1 victory earlier this season.

• Vélodrome History: While the all-time H2H is dead even (43 wins each), Marseille historically holds the edge at home with 29 wins in 53 matches against Lens.

• Winning Streak: Lens has won five consecutive away games, keeping clean sheets in three of them.

• Goal Machines: Marseille has scored 22 goals in their last five domestic matches, averaging 2.3 goals per game.

Tactical Analysis and Prediction

This match pits Marseille’s high-possession, "De Zerbi-ball" style against the disciplined, high-intensity structure of Pierre Sage’s Lens. Marseille will look to dominate the ball and use the creative flair of Ethan Nwaneri or Quinten Timber to feed Greenwood. However, their makeshift defense—missing Pavard—might struggle against the pace of Wesley Saïd and Florian Thauvin on the break.

Lens is in a "groove" that is hard to bet against. Even with defensive injuries, their collective work rate has seen them navigate difficult fixtures all season. Expect a high-quality encounter where the atmosphere at the Vélodrome pushes Marseille forward, but Lens’s counter-attacking efficiency may prove the difference once again.

Final Score Prediction: Marseille 1–2 Lens