Rennes and Marseille will get the new Ligue 1 season underway on Friday night, when they face off at Roazhon Park.
It was a frustrating campaign for Rennes in 2024-25, as they finished down in 12th, but Marseille were the best of the rest, coming second behind Paris Saint-Germain. Read our Ligue 1 predictions for the clash below.
Contents
- 1 Rennes vs Marseille prediction: Visitors to start with an away win
- 2 Pre-game odds and win probability: Marseille slight favourites in the markets
- 3 Most recent H2Hs: Marseille have enjoyed recent dominance
- 4 Rennes preview: Important defender remains a doubt
- 5 Marseille preview: First chance to see new attacking recruits?
- 6 Player to watch: Amine Gouiri
Rennes vs Marseille prediction: Visitors to start with an away win
Key Stats
- Marseille have won on the opening day in each of the last five seasons.
- Five of Rennes’ last six matches have produced over 2.5 goals.
- Eight of Marseille’s last nine matches have produced over 2.5 goals.
- All of Marseille’s last five competitive matches, and four of their last five pre-season friendlies, saw both teams score.
Correct score prediction: Rennes 1-3 Marseille
Marseille have strengthened further over the summer, and finished 24 points above Rennes last season, so they should fancy their chances of an opening day win here.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Marseille slight favourites in the markets
- HOME: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
- DRAW: 27/10 (3.70) – 27.0%
- AWAY: 10/11 (1.91) – 52.4%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The bookies are favouring a win for Marseille in this season opener, but the odds are closer than last season’s league table would suggest.
Rennes improved in the second half of the season, but they will still find it tough to keep out an attack that scored 74 league goals in 2024-25, and the bookmakers are well aware that goals could be in store, with over 2.5 being priced at just 7/11.
Read more of our football predictions and Ligue 1 analysis on our dedicated page.
Most recent H2Hs: Marseille have enjoyed recent dominance
Marseille have been dominant in this fixture in recent years, winning four of the last five Ligue 1 meetings, including both in 2024-25.
The two clubs met as recently as the final day of last season, when OM won 4-2 at the Stade Velodrome, with Mason Greenwood and Adrien Rabiot both scoring twice.
France Ligue 1 17/05/25
Marseille
Rennes
France Ligue 1 11/01/25
Rennes
Marseille
France Ligue 1 17/03/24
Rennes
Marseille
France Cup 21/01/24
Rennes
Marseille
France Ligue 1 03/12/23
Marseille
Rennes
Rennes preview: Important defender remains a doubt
Centre-back Lilian Brassier is a doubt for the hosts after missing their final pre-season friendly, but there could be debuts here for Przemyslaw Frankowski, and ex-Marseille duo Quentin Merlin and Valentin Rongier.
Predicted lineup: Samba (GK), Faye, Jacquet, Rouault, Frankowski, Fofana, Cisse, Rongier, Merlin, Tamari & Meite
France Ligue 1 10/05/25
W
Nice
0
Rennes
2
France Ligue 1 03/05/25
L
Toulouse
2
Rennes
1
France Ligue 1 26/04/25
L
Lyon
4
Rennes
1
France Ligue 1 18/04/25
W
Nantes
1
Rennes
2
France Ligue 1 13/04/25
W
Le Havre
1
Rennes
5
Marseille preview: First chance to see new attacking recruits?
£25m-man Igor Paixao is a doubt for Marseille in their season opener, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could make his second debut, after returning to the club following a year in Saudi Arabia.
Facundo Medina has also joined the club on loan, along with Timothy Weah, who is following in his father’s footsteps by representing Marseille.
Predicted lineup: Rulli (GK), Murillo, Medina, Balerdi, Garcia, Hojbjerg, Rabiot, Gomes, Greenwood, Aubameyang & Gouiri
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: Amine Gouiri
While Greenwood got most of the headlines for finishing as joint-top scorer in Ligue 1, Gouiri’s impact after joining from Marseille’s upcoming opponents was remarkable.
The Algerian wide man scored 10 goals and set up three in just 14 appearances after making the January move, and he will seek to continue that blistering form into the new season.