Preview:Marseille vs Lorient - prediction, team news, lineups

Lorient can claim their first away victory in Ligue 1 since March 2024 when they travel to the Stade Velodrome on Friday for a date with Marseille.

Before the international break, OM were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Lyon, while the visitors got hammered 7-1 at home against Lille on matchday three.

Match preview

Roberto De Zerbi’s second season in charge of Marseille has not started smoothly, with his side in the middle of the pack, sitting in 10th place, having lost two of their three league outings.

Only twice over the last 40 years have we seen this team lose three of their opening four league fixtures, with the previous occasion coming in the 2015-16 season.

They will be happy to know that their next two matches in the top flight take place at the Stade Velodrome, where this team have won eight of their last nine games in this competition, including a 5-2 triumph over Paris FC in August.

This side have failed to score in two of their three domestic affairs this season, but they have been consistently strong in front of goal in Marseille.

Les Phoceens have netted three or more goals in five consecutive Ligue 1 affairs at home, their longest such run in this competition since September-December 1952 (seven).

Olympique de Marseille have won their last five matches played versus Lorient on their home field, winning those previous two affairs by a score of 3-1.

After a convincing home triumph over Rennes on matchday two (4-0), newly promoted Lorient were knocked down a peg by Lille at the end of August.

All eight of the goals allowed by Olivier Pantaloni’s men in Ligue 1 this season have occurred in the final 45 minutes, including seven the last time out.

The last five top-flight away games, dating back to 2024, have ended in defeat for this side, who have failed to score in four of those instances.

Lorient have lost eight successive top-flight affairs when tied or behind at the half, while winning their previous two outings when ahead after 45 minutes.

In their opening three league contests, they have given up a total of 12 goals, as many as they conceded in their final 14 Ligue 2 affairs a season ago.

Les Merlus have not won a Ligue 1 match at the Velodrome since April 2015, when they got past OM 5-3 in a back-and-forth contest.

Marseille Ligue 1 form:

Lorient Ligue 1 form:

Team News

A sore knee kept Ruben Blanco out of the Marseille lineup on matchday two, Geoffrey Kondogbia had a head injury, while CJ Egan Riley was red-carded just before the half-hour mark and will be suspended for this clash.

De Zerbi made two changes to his starting 11 on matchday three, as Bilal Nadir came in for Amine Gouiri and Hamed Traore made his OM debut, taking the place of Ulisses Garcia, while Benjamin Pavard will be seeking his first appearance after being loaned for the season from Inter Milan.

As for Lorient, Nathaniel Adejei was sidelined versus Lille with a knock, Bandiougou Fadiga had an ankle issue, Panos Katseris was dealing with a thigh injury, Pablo Pagis sat out due to a calf strain and Isaak Toure is still recovering from cruciate ligament surgery.

Tosin Aiyegun had their only goal against Lille, the team-leading second of the domestic campaign for the Nigerian-born striker, who features internationally for Benin.

Marseille possible starting lineup:

Rulli; Murillo, Balerdi, Aguerd, Garcia; Gomes, Hojbjerg; Greenwood, Gouiri, Weah; Aubameyang

Lorient possible starting lineup:

Kamara; Silva, Talbi, Faye; Le Bris, Avom, Abergel, Yongwa; Aiyegun, Sanusi; Bamba

We say: Marseille 3-0 Lorient

We expect to see a rather passive Lorient side who have struggled defensively and may try to overcorrect those issues, which a team as talented as Marseille should be able to exploit.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.