Champions League: All to Play for in the South of France

Marseille vs Liverpool

Mention Marseille in the Champions League to me, and immediate memories are evoked.

For it was actually in 1992-93, the first season of the competition under its Champions League format, formerly known as the European Cup, that Les Olympiens enjoyed their finest moment.

In truth, though, the triumph has never been recognised by the majority.

Because while they are still officially regarded as the winners of the tournament 33 years ago, that was the same year they were stripped of their domestic title and demoted for match-fixing, meaning few outside their number really consider them as ever being kings of Europe. Tainted forever but not forgotten.

Now their new generation is dreaming of such an outcome, and Wednesday night in the Orange Velodrome provides a perfect stage for Champions League 2026 highlights.

 

Talking Points

On paper, it’s a mismatch with big-spending Liverpool, big favourites against the side placed third in what, in recent years, has been a very uncompetitive Ligue 1.

Yet that is not the case this season, and with both clubs harbouring hopes of automatic qualification to the last 16, it’s still all to play for.

Liverpool are aiming to prolong their 12-match unbeaten run at home and abroad and are currently only out of the top eight in the standings (a position that secures automatic qualification into the knockout stages) on goal difference after winning 1-0 at Inter Milan in their last outing.

But that will be easier said than done against the goal-happy troops of Roberto De Zerbi, the former Brighton boss who enjoyed several successes against Liverpool during his two seasons on the south coast.

He’s now hoping to guide his Marseille side to a third straight win in Europe’s premier tournament, and they have plenty of firepower to trouble the best of them, including former Manchester United ace Mason Greenwood (enjoying life in the south of France), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Igor Paixao.

Ruben Blanco (knee) is in the treatment room, while Bilal Nadir was withdrawn against Angers late on during their 5-2 win at the weekend, but is not thought to be suffering from anything serious.

Arthur Vermeeren, Angel Gomes, and Matt O’Riley are all alternatives to Nadir in midfield if need be, although ex-West Ham United defender Nayef Aguerd is not expected to be selected after featuring in Sunday’s African Cup of Nations final for Morocco.

The same question could be said of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, although with a day extra to return – he played for Egypt in Saturday’s tournament third-place play-off – he could be named among the substitutes.

While Liverpool have been inconsistent in Europe with a home victory over Real Madrid, followed by a 4-1 home reverse to PSV, there is not the same expectations on Marseille.

Last time out though, a Greenwood double helped them prevail 3-2 against Belgian underdogs upstarts Union Saint-Gilloise and De Zerbi’s team have also defeated Newcastle and PSV, losing their other three group games against Sporting Lisbon, Atalanta and Real Madrid.

If they are on their A game, memories of 93 could return once more.

 

History

It was a fixture between the two sides in 2004 when I first came across a talent who impressed me with his sheer doggedness and strength.

A UEFA Cup fourth round first leg match at Anfield, which was actually their first-ever clash.

It finished 1-1 that night, and it was Didier Drogba who caught the eye with a 78th-minute equaliser to cancel out an opener for the home side from Milan Baros. A fortnight later, Drogba again played an important role with a penalty-spot equaliser, after Emile Heskey put the Merseysiders ahead, before future Bolton man Abdoulaye Meite grabbed the winner in the second half for a 3-2 aggregate victory for Marseille.

The French side also won again when they next met three years later, with Mathieu Valbuena netting the only goal at Anfield in a Champions League group encounter.

Liverpool have won their last three meetings, though, most recently another Champions League group stage game in November 2008 when Steven Gerrard was the sole scorer. Overall, they have three wins, compared to two for Marseille and that first draw.

 

Betting Tip

Given the differing resources between the clubs, our SBOTOP Champions League 2026 betting odds will not surprise you.

Liverpool are firm favourites, both 1X2 @ 2.01 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.31. The French hosts, though, can earn you a tidy pay day both 1X2 @ 3.21 and Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.19.

As there’s never been a goalless draw between the sides, how about a first time as Correct Score 0-0 will pay out @ 15.50. Other options include Total Goal 0-1 @ 3.97, 2-3 @ 2.06, 4-6 @ 2.75, and Over 3.00 @ 2.06.

A re-run of their last meeting in France, in 2008, is on offer @ 8.00 with Correct Score 1-2.

   

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