Lens v Marseille: OM tipped to compound hosts’ crisis after Como humiliation

RC Lens will look to recover from their historic Champions League defeat when they host Olympique de Marseille at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Lens are ninth in Ligue 1 after nine matches following a 1-0 defeat by Lille, while Marseille are sixth, two points ahead, after beating Toulouse 2-0.

Lens suffered a record 9-1 loss to Como on Wednesday, becoming the first team in Champions League history to concede nine goals in a match. The result leaves Yannick Cahuzac’s side facing the possibility of a third successive defeat in all competitions for the first time this season.

Their European campaign has brought three consecutive losses, with a combined score of 14-1. However, Lens have won three of their past four Ligue 1 matches. They have also scored nine of their 16 league goals at Stade Bollaert-Delelis, despite finding the net only once at home in the Champions League this season.

The Sang et Or have won three of their past four home Ligue 1 meetings with Marseille, including a 2-1 victory in this fixture last season.

Marseille arrive with greater confidence after winning four of their past five matches in all competitions. Bruno Genesio’s team claimed their first UEFA Europa League victory of the season on Thursday, beating Bayer Leverkusen 1-0. It was their first away win in the competition since a 2-0 success at AEK Athens in 2023, and their third victory in four away matches in all competitions.

The visitors have scored seven goals in their past two Ligue 1 away games, two more than in their previous 10 domestic matches away from Stade Velodrome. Marseille rank second in the league for goals per game, with 2.2, and average possession, at 55.7%. They are three points behind Lille, who are currently second.

Marseille could record three consecutive clean sheets for the first time in 2026 and keep two successive Ligue 1 clean sheets for the first time since March.

Odsonne Edouard remains doubtful for Lens because of an adductor problem. Ismaelo Ganiou is recovering from knee surgery, while Abdallah Sima has a leg issue, Jhoanner Chavez is dealing with a thigh problem and Maik Nawrocki continues his recovery from a cruciate ligament rupture. Ruben Aguilar, Lens’ only scorer against Como, is expected to play. Florian Thauvin has contributed to three goals in his past two Ligue 1 appearances at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

Marseille are without Derek Cornelius because of a hip problem, while Keyliane Abdallah has taken a knock. Emerson Palmieri is doubtful with a knee issue. Amine Gouiri has scored in his past two appearances for the club, including the winner against Bayer Leverkusen, after also scoring alongside Amine Harit against Toulouse.

The suggested selections are a Marseille win at 2.55, fewer than 3.5 goals at 1.55 and Gouiri to score at 2.50. The predicted score is 0-2, available at 14.50 with Betclic.