Marseille And Liverpool Set For High-Stakes Champions League Clash

The stage is set for a tantalizing UEFA Champions League clash as Marseille welcomes Liverpool to the iconic Stade Vélodrome tonight, January 21, 2026. With both teams eyeing a crucial spot in the competition’s top eight, this fixture promises high stakes, drama, and a few surprises along the way. The 8 p.m. GMT kickoff marks a pivotal moment in the group stage, as each club looks to capitalize on their strengths and overcome recent challenges.

Marseille enters this contest sitting 16th in the Champions League standings, having collected nine points from six matches. Despite their position, the French side’s recent form has offered hope to their passionate supporters. A resounding 5-2 victory over Angers in Ligue 1 last weekend showcased their attacking flair, and with 41 goals scored in the domestic campaign, Marseille’s offense is certainly firing on all cylinders. However, their Champions League journey has been a rollercoaster, and they remain three points off eighth place, requiring a bit of luck and strong performances in these final group fixtures to avoid the playoff round.

Manager Roberto De Zerbi will be relying on his squad’s depth and experience, particularly with the likes of former Premier League stars Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leading the charge. Greenwood, a former Manchester United forward, is expected to play a key role in Marseille’s attack, while Aubameyang’s Champions League pedigree—three goals and four assists in the competition this season—makes him a constant threat. The midfield could see a shakeup, with Bilal Nadir possibly replaced by ex-Brighton and Celtic man Matt O’Riley, joining a lineup already featuring several players with English top-flight experience.

Marseille’s squad will be missing Derek Cornelius and Ruben Blanco due to injury, while Nayef Aguerd remains a doubt after Morocco’s heartbreaking loss in the Africa Cup of Nations final just two days ago. De Zerbi’s predicted starting XI includes Rulli in goal, a defense of Murillo, Balerdi, Medina, and Emerson, a midfield pairing of O’Riley and Hojbjerg, and an attacking unit featuring Weah, Greenwood, Paixao, and Aubameyang. The home crowd at the Vélodrome will be hoping this blend of youth and experience can upset the odds tonight.

Liverpool, meanwhile, arrives in Marseille with a mixed bag of recent results. The Reds are unbeaten in their last 12 games across all competitions, but six of those have ended in draws—a far cry from their earlier season form. Their most recent Premier League outing, a 1-1 draw with relegation battlers Burnley, was their fourth consecutive stalemate. This run has left manager Arne Slot under some pressure, especially with high-profile names like Xabi Alonso rumored to be on the managerial market.

Despite these frustrations, Liverpool’s Champions League campaign remains alive and well. The team sits ninth in the competition with 12 points and recently edged Inter Milan 1-0 at the San Siro. Tonight’s match represents a golden opportunity to leap into the top eight and build momentum ahead of next week’s home clash against Qarabag at Anfield. The return of Mohamed Salah from the Africa Cup of Nations is a major boost, with Slot hinting to the press, “Let’s see the line-up tomorrow if you still think there’s an issue.” Salah’s inclusion is expected to push either Florian Wirtz or Cody Gakpo to the bench, while Alexis Mac Allister is tipped to start in midfield over Curtis Jones.

Liverpool’s predicted lineup features Alisson in goal, a back four of Frimpong, Konate, van Dijk, and Kerkez, a midfield trio of Gravenberch, Mac Allister, and Szoboszlai, and an attacking line of Wirtz, Ekitike, and Salah. Injuries to Isak, Bradley, and Leoni mean Slot has limited options for rotation, but the squad’s depth should still pose problems for Marseille’s defense.

Historically, Liverpool holds the upper hand in this fixture. The two sides have met four times previously in the Champions League, with the Reds winning three and Marseille claiming a famous victory at Anfield in their first encounter. Notably, Liverpool has triumphed on both prior visits to the Vélodrome, including a memorable 4-0 win in December 2007 that secured their passage to the last 16. Will history repeat itself, or can Marseille conjure up another shock on home soil?

Both teams come into the match with plenty of attacking firepower and a penchant for high-scoring games. Liverpool leads the competition for expected goals (xG) among teams yet to play their seventh game, while Marseille’s Aubameyang and Liverpool’s Ekitike are tipped as likely goal scorers. Aubameyang, with his proven track record, and Ekitike, who has underperformed his xG in Europe but boasts eight Premier League goals, should keep both defenses on their toes.

Betting odds slightly favor Liverpool, with the Reds priced at 21/20 to win, Marseille at 11/4, and a draw at 14/5. Many pundits are predicting a tightly contested affair, with several tipping a 2-2 draw—reflecting Liverpool’s recent run of stalemates and Marseille’s need for points. A popular bet builder tip combines a draw, both teams to score, and goals from Aubameyang and Ekitike, offering enticing odds for those willing to take a punt.

For fans eager to catch the action, the match will be broadcast on TNT Sports and is available for streaming on platforms such as RTÉ Player (via VPN for international viewers), Paramount+, UniMás, TUDN, ViX, and Prime Video. RTÉ Player, though geo-restricted to Ireland, can be accessed worldwide using a VPN service like ExpressVPN, which boasts servers in 105 countries, fast speeds, and a no-logging policy. ExpressVPN is currently offering a 49% discount on a one-year subscription, making it an attractive option for sports fans looking to stream the Champions League and more.

As the teams prepare to take the field, all eyes will be on key battles across the pitch: Salah’s return and attacking influence, Aubameyang’s finishing prowess, and the tactical adjustments of Slot and De Zerbi. With both sides craving victory for different reasons—Marseille to keep their knockout hopes alive and Liverpool to regain their winning edge—the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Tonight’s fixture at the Stade Vélodrome promises to be a captivating chapter in both clubs’ European journeys. With so much on the line and the action just moments away, fans around the globe will be glued to their screens, waiting to see which team can seize the initiative in this high-pressure Champions League showdown.