Lyon vs Marseille Prediction 31.08.2025
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Lyon vs Marseille Prediction
Lyon vs Marseille Prediction and Betting Tips for Matchday 3 of Ligue 1, set for Sunday at Groupama Stadium. Lyon enter this clash with a perfect start, while Marseille arrive aiming to close the gap in what’s already shaping up to be a fascinating season. For more insights and weekly analysis, check out our Ligue 1 Predictions section on XpertStats.
- Lyon are chasing a third straight Ligue 1 win for the first time since 1982.
- Marseille have won five of the last six Choc des Olympiques meetings.
- Both teams carry contrasting home and away records into this clash.
- Fonseca remains banned from the touchline but Lyon are thriving regardless.
Lyon’s season could hardly have started better. Paulo Fonseca may still be serving his lengthy touchline ban, but his side don’t seem to mind. A scrappy 1-0 win over Lens was followed by a stylish 3-0 dismantling of Metz, with Corentin Tolisso and Malick Fofana both making the scoresheet. The story now? One more win would see them start a Ligue 1 campaign with three victories on the bounce for the first time since the early 80s. That’s not just momentum, that’s history calling. Can they really keep this streak alive against their fiercest rivals?
Still, history isn’t on Lyon’s side when it comes to this particular matchup. Marseille have won five of the last six encounters between these two giants, often finding a way to ruin Lyon’s momentum just when they seemed unstoppable. That sort of psychological edge matters, especially in a derby-like atmosphere. Add in Lyon’s missing names: Orel Mangala, Ernest Nuamah, and possibly Georges Mikautadze, who looks Villarreal bound and suddenly things don’t look as straightforward as Lyon’s form table suggests.
On the other side, Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille arrive full of goals and confidence. Their opening-day stumble at Rennes was quickly forgotten after a 5-2 hammering of Paris FC, where Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rolled back the years with a brace. Mason Greenwood, Hojbjerg, and Robinio Vaz also got on the scoresheet, showing just how many weapons this squad has. At home, they look unstoppable. Away, though? That’s another story. Three wins from ten away games in 2025 paints a less convincing picture.
Even so, Marseille have reason to believe. They’ve won two of their last three trips to Lyon and tend to raise their game for this particular battle. Aubameyang’s form is a huge boost, and De Zerbi is unlikely to make major changes to a lineup that looked fluid and dangerous last week. With Lyon desperate to protect their perfect start and Marseille equally determined to prove their credentials, this clash feels like it could boil over at any moment. No matter which side takes the points, it’s one of those games you just can’t take your eyes off. That’s the magic of the Ligue 1 Predictions every season.
Over 3.5 cards feels like a strong angle for Lyon vs Marseille. This fixture has historically been fiery, and recent meetings underline the tension: five of the last six head-to-head clashes saw at least four bookings. Lyon, despite their perfect start, are missing key men like Orel Mangala and Ernest Nuamah, which could leave Fonseca’s midfield stretched. That often leads to tactical fouls when Marseille’s pacey front line breaks forward. On the other side, Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille play with intensity, pressing high and forcing duels all over the pitch. With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in form and Mason Greenwood drifting into pockets, Lyon’s defense will be tested and likely forced into challenges. Referees tend to anticipate the heated atmosphere of this rivalry, too. Add in both sides’ history of ill-tempered battles, and over 3.5 cards feels more than reasonable. Expect whistles, protests, and plenty of yellow flashes.
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