Marseille vs Lens Prediction & Betting Tips (24 January)

Surprisingly beaten by Nantes 0-2 during their first outing of the year, Olympique de Marseille restored their image in Ligue 1 by scoring 5 goals at Angers 2-5 last weekend. Roberto De Zerbi's players, who had spent 9 at Bayeux R1; 0-9 a few days before in the Coupe de France, remain 3rd in the Championship with 7 points behind PSG, 2nd, and 2 ahead of their closest pursuer, Lyon. Marseille challenged Liverpool on Wednesday at the Stade Vélodrome in the final sprint of the Champions League league phase.  How far will RC Lens go? By triumphing with a short header against Auxerre 1-0, the Artesian club achieved an 8th consecutive victory in the Championship, the third in a row without conceding a goal after those against Nice 2-0 and Toulouse 0-3.

These three new points allow it to maintain the lead in the standings by one point ahead of PSG. Best defense in Ligue 1 with 13 goals conceded in 18 days, Pierre Sage's team is the sensation of this season in France. Business is also good in the Coupe de France, as evidenced by their convincing success at Sochaux N1; 0-3 in the round of 32. 

OM are almost complete against the leader. Executive defenders Aguerd, returned from the CAN, and Pavard, packaged at Angers, are applying for a return to the starting lineup. Attacking midfielder Angel Gomes, suspended, has little playing time to get his teeth into and has been invited to find a new challenge this winter. The offensive promise Vaz and the undesirables Lirola and Blanco were the first to leave the club while the English Hopes striker Nwaneri (Arsenal) and the midfielders Abdelli (Angers) and Quinten Timber (Feyenoord) are mentioned in the direction of arrivals. In Angers, Gouiri scored in a second match in a row and Greenwood consolidated his status as top scorer in the Championship by adding a 12th goal to his tally. Lens prepared for this meeting without winter recruit Amadou Haidara (midfielder, ex Leipzig) and long-term absentees Gradit (starting defender), Gurtner and Chavez (substitutes), injured.

The return of Edouard (7 goals in L1) is hoped for at the forefront of the attack. Former Marseillais Thauvin (5 goals in L1) and Saïd are essential up front and should keep their place in the eleven. Scorer against Auxerre, the second became the best Lens scorer in the Championship with his 8 goals. Midfielder Sangaré is applying for a return to the starting lineup after playing in the CAN with Mali. 

• Summary: Olympique de Marseille is going head to head with RC Lens starting on 24 Jan 2026 at 20:05 UTC at Orange Velodrome stadium, Marseille city, France. The match is a part of the Ligue 1 .
• Referee: Benoît Bastien
• Marseille Feedinco Rating: 6.93
• Lens Feedinco Rating: 6.97