Lyon will host Marseille in the third round of the new Ligue 1 season on Sunday, 31 August.
Can the hosts stay perfect after this match or will Marseille spoil their party? Learn more about this match from our Lyon vs Marseille prediction and preview, but don't forget to also look at our other Ligue 1 predictions.
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Lyon vs Marseille prediction: Plenty of goals are expected
Key Stats
- Last season, Lyon averaged 3.26 total goals per game, while Marseille averaged 3.56 total goals per game.
- We saw both teams score in 68% of Marseille's and 62% of Lyon's league matches last season.
- Marseille have beaten Lyon five times in their last six meetings, but Lyon have started the season a bit better since they've won both of their Ligue 1 matches so far, while Marseille have one win and one loss.
Correct score prediction: Lyon 2-2 Marseille
This is a match between two teams with the highest ambitions this season in Ligue 1 and while Lyon have started the new season better, winning both of their games, Marseille are the better team on paper.
Furthermore, Marseille have been the better team in recent years, both in terms of overall results and H2H results, but with Lyon in good form and hosting the game, we feel that a draw with goals on both sides is a realistic outcome.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Marseille slightly favoured to win
- HOME: 7/4 (2.75) – 36.40%
- DRAW: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.80%
- AWAY: 11/8 (2.38) – 42.10%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
It's clear from the Lyon vs Marseille odds that the bookies expect a close game, but the guests are the expected winners by a small margin.
In any case, if you liked our predictions for this game, remember to also check our betting tips for today.
Most recent H2Hs: Marseille dominating lately
With five wins in the last six meetings with Lyon, Marseille have clearly been the better team of the two in recent years. However, if we look at their overall H2H record between, at this moment they are actually tied, with 41 wins for each team and 41 draws.
France Ligue 1 02/02/25
Marseille
Lyon
France Ligue 1 22/09/24
Lyon
Marseille
France Ligue 1 04/02/24
Lyon
Marseille
France Ligue 1 06/12/23
Marseille
Lyon
France Ligue 1 29/10/23
Marseille
Lyon
Lyon preview: Looking to keep the perfect start
The once perennial champions of France haven't been doing that well in recent years and last season they struggled in the first half, but then went on a run to secure a sixth-place finish and a place in Europe. This season, however, they had a much better start, beating Lens and Metz in their first two matches.
When it comes to team news, Orel Mangala and Ernest Nuamah are out with injuries. Also, Georges Mikautadze will likely remain out of the team as he's reportedly close to a transfer to Villarreal.
Predicted lineup: Descamps (GK), Maitland-Niles, Mata, Niakhate, Abner, Morton, Tessman, Karabec, Tolisso, Fofana & Sulc
France Ligue 1 10/05/25
L
Monaco
2
Lyon
0
France Ligue 1 04/05/25
L
Lens
2
Lyon
1
France Ligue 1 26/04/25
W
Rennes
1
Lyon
4
France Ligue 1 20/04/25
L
St Etienne
2
Lyon
1
UEFA Europa League 17/04/25
L
Man Utd
5
Lyon
4
Marseille preview: Hoping for another win over Lyon
With a great success rate in recent years against Lyon, Marseille will be hoping to inflict them their first loss of the season on Sunday. Marseille have started their season with a loss to Rennes, but in the second round at home they put five goals past the newly-promoted Paris FC.
Meanwhile, Facundo Medina, Amine Harit, Geoffrey Kondogbia, and Igor Paixao are all on the team's injury lists heading into this match.
Predicted lineup: Rulli (GK), Murillo, Egan-Riley, Balerdi, Garcia, Gomes, Hojbjerg, Greenwood, Gouiri, Weah & Aubameyang
France Ligue 1 10/05/25
W
Le Havre
1
Marseille
3
France Ligue 1 04/05/25
D
Lille
1
Marseille
1
France Ligue 1 27/04/25
W
Brest
1
Marseille
4
France Ligue 1 19/04/25
W
Montpellier
1
Marseille
5
France Ligue 1 12/04/25
L
Monaco
3
Marseille
0
Player to watch: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
After spending last season in the Saudi Pro League, where he scored 17 goals in 32 appearances for Al-Qadsiah, the experienced forward returned to Marseille this summer.
The year away from the team didn't seem to affect Aubameyang at all since the 36-year-old started the new season with two goals in the first two Ligue 1 matches.