Marseille vs Liverpool predictions and betting tips – Reds under pressure in France

Liverpool still have work to do if they want to secure a top-eight finish in the Champions League, thus bypassing the knockout phase play-offs and qualifying directly for the round of 16.

Marseille are also seeking to extend their participation in this competition, so Liverpool will not have it easy on Wednesday. Who wins this one in the south of France?

• Go for a Marseille win or a draw – 10/11 with SBK
• Select both teams to score and over 2.5 goals – 4/5 with Tote
• Choose Florian Wirtz to score any time – 13/5 with Betfred

Marseille vs Liverpool odds

Find the latest Marseille vs Liverpool betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Marseille vs Liverpool predictions

With the Premier League title no longer an objective for Liverpool, many of the club’s supporters wish to see Arne Slot turn his attention to the Champions League.

Of course, Liverpool must do everything they can to qualify for next season’s edition of the competition by finishing in the top four (or potentially top five) in the league.

But whereas a top-four finish alone would be seen as a disappointing campaign, a Champions League triumph would make this a historic one.

Success on the continental stage this season would move Liverpool onto seven European titles, moving them level with AC Milan in second place in the all-time rankings.

No one should rule Liverpool out. True, this has been a difficult campaign to date. In hindsight, the Reds probably tried to change too much in the summer transfer market, disrupting the cohesion and balance they had built in Slot’s debut season at the helm.

Their failure to sign a senior central defender has come back to bite Liverpool, while Mohamed Salah’s loss of form has been an issue too.

But that does not mean Liverpool will not improve in the second half of the season. Summer signings like Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez are starting to find their feet after difficult starts, and Liverpool have not been quite as defensively shaky in recent weeks as they were a few months back.

It would be a mistake to look too far ahead, however. Before they start plotting a potential route to the Champions League final, Liverpool still need to qualify for the knockout phase.

Ninth in the table at present, a top-eight finish is the target. Victories over Marseille and Qarabag over the next week or so would surely be sufficient to get Liverpool over the line. But a failure to win on Wednesday would leave the Reds facing the possibility of a two-legged play-off in February, a scenario Slot would doubtless rather avoid.

A home game against Qarabag should be easy enough to negotiate, but Liverpool will be tested by Marseille on matchday seven.

A victory for the French side would move them above Slot’s team in the table, so this is a massive match for both teams. 

Liverpool should prime themselves for a battle at the Stade Velodrome, home to one of the best atmospheres in European football.

Marseille vs Liverpool betting tips

Marseille will be looking to get one over on Liverpool when the two teams clash this week.

Liverpool could struggle

Liverpool had another frustrating afternoon on Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by relegation contenders Burnley.

Slot’s men have now drawn four consecutive games in the Premier League, having previously been held by Arsenal, Fulham and Leeds United.

For one reason or another, Liverpool are struggling to get over the line and that could be the case when they face Marseille too.

Roberto De Zerbi’s charges are an excellent team on their day, and they tend to raise their game for the big occasion. Marseille can avoid defeat by Liverpool.

Go for a Marseille win or a draw at 10/11 with SBK

Clean sheets elusive

It is true that Liverpool have looked more solid in their last few matches, at least compared to the period in Autumn when they were extremely brittle at the back.

Their defence will come under strain against this attack-minded Marseille team, though, and Liverpool may have to fight fire with fire.

Salah is not expected to feature after the Africa Cup of Nations, but Liverpool will still have some quality attackers on the pitch.

Marseille, for their part, are the highest-scoring side in Ligue 1, so we should be in store for an enjoyable 90 minutes at the Velodrome.

Select both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 4/5 with Tote

Wirtz to strike again

Wirtz took a while to adjust to the more physical nature of the Premier League, but there are signs that he is starting to come good.

The Germany international scored in Saturday’s draw with Burnley, which means he has had a direct hand in six goals in Liverpool’s last seven matches in all competitions.

Even when he was not playing well, no one questioned Wirtz’s footballing ability. Now he is starting to have an impact on matches.

Despite his excellent record of late, Wirtz is not among the favourites to find the back of the net against Marseille. That makes him excellent value in the anytime scorer market.

Choose Florian Wirtz to score any time at 13/5 with Betfred

Marseille vs Liverpool predicted lineups

• Marseille expected lineup: Rulli; Murillo, Balerdi, Medina, Emerson; O’Riley, Hojbjerg; Weah, Greenwood, Paixao; Aubameyang.
• Liverpool expected lineup: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.

Where to watch Marseille vs Liverpool

• Location: Stade Velodrome, Marseille, France.
• Date and time: Wednesday 21st January, 8pm.
• How to watch: TNT Sports 1.

More Champions League predictions

We have plenty more Champions League predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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