Marseille vs Lens: Ligue 1 Showdown

Marseille vs Lens: A Critical Ligue 1 Showdown

The stage is set for an electrifying encounter in Ligue 1 as Olympique de Marseille (OM) hosts RC Lens at the iconic Stade Vélodrome on January 24, 2026. This Gameweek 19 clash is not just another league fixture; it's a pivotal battle in the title race, with Lens aiming to extend their unbeaten run and maintain their position at the top of the table, while Marseille seeks to assert their presence in the upper echelons of the league.

Match Preview: High Stakes and High Drama

For Lens, a victory would stretch their remarkable unbeaten run across all competitions to an impressive 11 matches. They have been the team to beat in recent weeks, proving many doubters wrong with their consistent performances. Under the stewardship of coach Pierre Sage, Lens has shown resilience and determination, maintaining their lead at the summit of the Ligue 1 table over the past five matchdays.

Marseille, on the other hand, comes into this match having won their first league fixture of the year. A convincing 5-2 victory over Angers on matchday 18 propelled them up to third in the standings. However, their form has been somewhat erratic, both domestically and in European competition this season. Last week saw a high-scoring display, but they will be eager to avoid suffering consecutive defeats in normal time across all competitions for the first time since October, following their 3-0 loss to Liverpool in the Champions League.

Roberto De Zerbi, Marseille's head coach, could be on the verge of losing successive Ligue 1 fixtures at the Velodrome for only the second time in his OM career, and the first since October to November 2024. Marseille are also in danger of going goalless in two straight Ligue 1 home contests for the first time since February to March 2022, after a 2-0 defeat to Nantes on matchday 17. This match against Lens holds significant weight for OM, as they could lose both league meetings with the visitors in the same campaign for the first time since 2022-23, following Lens's narrow 2-1 victory last October.

Lens: The Unbeaten Leaders

Despite facing skepticism about their title credentials, Lens has been a revelation this season. Their defensive solidity is a key strength, having conceded just one goal in their previous five competitive contests and recording three successive clean sheets in Ligue 1. Their ability to grind out narrow victories is evident, having won eight league encounters this season by a single goal, while suffering just one defeat by that thin margin in their opening match (1-0 against Lyon).

Lens's away form has been particularly impressive, triumphing in their last four domestic affairs outside their home ground. Saturday's match presents an opportunity for them to achieve something truly remarkable – winning five successive top-flight contests as visitors for the first time this century. While they have been generally stingy on the road, having given up a goal or fewer in six of their last seven domestic outings played outside Stade Bollaert-Delelis, only two of their seven clean sheets in the competition this season have come away from home.

Recent Encounters

The head-to-head record between Lens and Marseille leans in favor of the visitors. Les Sang et Or have won six of their previous seven Ligue 1 meetings with OM, while claiming maximum points in four of their last five visits to Stade Vélodrome. This adds an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming match, as Marseille will be keen to turn the tables on their opponents.

Marseille: Seeking Consistency

Marseille's season has been a tale of two halves, with moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of inconsistency. Their recent 5-2 win over Angers showcased their attacking prowess, with several players getting on the scoresheet. Amine Gouiri, Igor Paixao, Timothy Weah, Hamed Traore, and Ligue 1's top goalscorer Mason Greenwood all found the back of the net, highlighting the depth and quality in OM's strike force.

However, the defensive vulnerabilities exposed in their 2-0 defeat to Nantes remain a cause for concern. Roberto De Zerbi will be looking for his side to find a balance between attack and defense, ensuring they are not caught out on the break by Lens's quick and incisive attacking players.

Team News and Possible Lineups

For Marseille, recent departures have seen Robinio Vaz sign with Roma, Pol Lirola join Hellas Verona, and Ruben Blanco released. With key players like Greenwood, Weah, and Gouiri in fine form, OM will be looking to build on their recent attacking display. A possible starting lineup for Marseille could see Rulli in goal, with Murillo, Balerdi, and Medina forming the defensive line. In midfield, Weah, Nadir, Hogbjerg, and Palmieri could provide creativity and energy, while Greenwood, Gomes, and Gouiri lead the attack.

Lens, too, has had to manage some injury concerns. Jonathan Gradit could be sidelined due to a lower leg issue, Jhoanner Chavez has a sore thigh, Regis Gurtner is dealing with a hamstring strain, and Amadou Haidara is questionable due to fitness issues. Anthony Bermont has a knock, and Odsonne Edouard was rested against Auxerre but could return for this crucial encounter. Wesley Said was the hero on matchday 18, netting the only goal, and goalkeeper Robin Risser did not have to make a single stop, recording his sixth clean sheet in the competition.

A potential Lens starting lineup might feature Risser between the posts, with Ganiou, Baidoo, and Sarr forming the back three. Abdulhamid and Thomasson could provide defensive midfield cover, while Bulatovic and Udol offer width on the flanks. Up front, Thauvin, Said, and the potentially returning Edouard could pose a significant threat to Marseille's defense.

Expert Prediction

Given Lens's recent form and their impressive record against Marseille, many experts are tipping the visitors to come out on top. Lens has been in a groove, winning the matches they needed to win to stay at the top of the table. Marseille, while capable of producing moments of magic, has struggled with consistency in Ligue 1 this season. Therefore, a narrow victory for Lens seems like a plausible outcome. Our prediction: Marseille 1-2 Lens.

The Road Ahead

Regardless of the outcome, this match is set to be a thrilling encounter between two of Ligue 1's most prominent teams. Both Marseille and Lens have shown their quality this season, and their performances in the coming weeks will be crucial in determining their respective positions in the league and their aspirations for European qualification. Football fans in Australia and around the world will be eagerly watching to see how this exciting title race unfolds.