Marseille vs Newcastle Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
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French giants Olympique de Marseille are involved in a Ligue 1 title race as they now prepare to take on a Newcastle United side boosted by a big win at the weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – CBS Sports
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Marseille preview: Strong and entertaining
Coached by former Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi, Olympique de Marseille are a genuine title contender in Ligue 1 and they were once again brilliant at the weekend as they hammered Nice by five goals to one at the Allianz Riviera.
Their form in Europe has been a bit of a different story, though, with l’OM having managed just one win with three defeats thus far, most recently suffering a slender and unfortunate 1-0 defeat to Atalanta at the Stade Velodrome against the run of play.
Newcastle preview: Big win in Newcastle
Newcastle United have been strong in the UEFA Champions League but underwhelming in the Premier League. The Magpies sit sixth in the 36-team UCL league phase, though, ahead of the fifth match day of the campaign.
They did, though, earn a much-needed and impressive, albeit controversial, victory in the league at the weekend as a Harvey Barnes brace inspired them to a 2-1 defeat of Manchester City at St James’ Park.
Marseille team news: Nothing fresh
There are no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for Marseille to deal with, as they try and pack in their abundance of attacking quality such as Igor Paixao, Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Rulli; Pavard, Egan-Riley, Balerdi; Weah, O’Riley, Hojbjerg, Emerson; Greenwood, Aubameyang, Paixao
Unavailable: Aguerd (Injured), Murillo (Injured), Traore (Injured), Gouiri (Injured)
Questionable:
Newcastle team news: Gordon a doubt
Anthony Gordon is a doubt for this one as he works back to full fitness. Kieran Trippier is also a doubt after missing out against City due to a knock. Dan Burn is suspended in the Premier League but available in Europe.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Schar, Botman, Burn; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Woltemade, Barnes
Unavailable: Ashby (Injured), Osula (Injured), Wissa (Injured)
Questionable: Trippier (Injured), Gordon (Injured)
Marseille vs Newcastle prediction
Roberto De Zerbi’s style is high intensity and they play with an aggression, both with and without the ball. They will seek to swarm a Newcastle side that do appear ideally set up to play on the counter-attack this season, with Nick Woltemade an excellent link man for that style. As a result, especially with some much-needed confidence gained against City, siding with the Geordies may well be a good value bet here.
Marseille vs Newcastle Tip: Newcastle to win & both teams to score
