Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet

In what is a showdown between two French giants on Sunday night, Lyon will welcome Marseille to the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.

Lyon

Starting with the hosts, dealing with a string of public issues behind the scenes as they only managed to keep hold of their Ligue 1 status following an extensive court battle, many were wondering if Lyon would show any signs of a public struggle when opening up the 2025/26 campaign. However, flying out of the traps and receiving a string of plaudits since returning from the summer break, Les Gones will be looking to extend on their purple patch here. Getting proceedings underway on August 16th with a gritty 1-0 win away at Lens, Sunday’s hosts laid down a real marker last time out. Breezing their way to a 3-0 romp against Metz, Lyon getting this weekend’s fixtures underway sat at the top of the Ligue 1 table. Not conceding a top-flight strike in almost 300 minutes of action, Paulo Fonseca’s camp will be looking to head into September’s international break with a heavyweight scalp.

Lyon Team News

Dealing with a long-term knee injury after spending the second-half of last season on loan at Premier League outfit Everton, Lyon will once again be without Belgium international Orel Mangala here. Former Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico could make a first Ligue 1 start of the season this weekend.

Despite continued speculation over a late summer switch, Georgian international Georges Mikautadze will lead the line on Sunday night. Completing a permanent move from Nottingham Forest last year, Moussa Niakhate will start at the heart of Fonseca’s defence.

Marseille

As for the visitors, while Marseille might have got the new campaign underway with a disappointing 1-0 loss away at Rennes on August 15th, Roberto De Zerbi’s side came roaring back in some style last weekend. Landing an action-packed 5-2 win when they welcomed Ligue 1 debutants Paris FC to the Stade Velodrome, Les Phoceens know that they can’t afford any early-season slip-ups if they are to mount any kind of title charge this season. Mustering 13 points from their final five appearances last season, the former Brighton boss should be excited by a dominant record against Sunday’s hosts. Landing a dramatic 3-2 victory when they last met their historic rivals back on February 2nd, Marseille have won five of their previous six meetings – a run that stems back to May 2022.

Marseille Team News

At the heart of what looks set to become a messy divorce before the summer transfer window slams shut, French international Adrien Rabiot is not expected to feature here. Opening his Ligue 2 account with a brace away at Paris FC last week, former Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will lead the line.

Completing a free switch from domestic rivals Lille this summer, England international Angel Gomes will start in the middle of the park and partner ex-Tottenham star Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. Likewise, fellow new recruit and former Burnley youngster CJ Egan-Riley will start at the heart of Marseille’s defence.

Lyon vs Marseille Key Factors to Consider

• When Lyon and Marseille last met back on February 2nd, Sunday’s guests collected a sensational 3-2 victory on home soil.
• In fact, Marseille have won five of their previous six meetings against their historic domestic rivals.
• Lyon have won their opening two Ligue 1 appearances this season by an aggregate score of 4-0.
• Continuing on from last season, Marseille have failed to record a clean sheet from any of their last 12 Ligue 1 appearances.
• The two Ligue 1 showdowns between Lyon and Marseille last season produced 10 goals at both ends of the pitch.

Conclusion

In a showdown between two French giants this weekend, neutrals will be hoping for more fireworks on Sunday night. Watching Marseille land consecutive 3-2 victories when they met their historic domestic rivals last season, chances could come thick and fast at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais. With De Zerbi’s camp failed to register a single clean sheet from any of their previous 12 consecutive Ligue 1 appearances, Marseille’s leaky defence will certainly be asked some major questions here.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet