Liverpool and Marseille face off in one of the most exciting fixtures of the week in the Champions League. Both teams are in a decent position in the Champions League standings with two matches left to go. Three points would mean a lot to both sides, so it should be a good battle.
Liverpool are a +100 favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook for this one, with a draw available at +280. Marseille are +260 to pull off the upset and take all three points. This is my prediction and pick for the Champions League tie between Liverpool and Marseille.
Marseille vs. Liverpool Prediction
Liverpool Preview
It has been quite a strange season for Liverpool. The reigning Premier League champions added a lot of talent to their team, but things have not clicked the way that they hoped. The Reds have gone on multiple runs of poor form this season and are clearly missing that next gear that they had last season. Despite those struggles, they remain in the top four in the Premier League and ninth in the Champions League. That makes them comfortably in the seeded places for the knockout phase, with a real chance to finish in the top eight and get an automatic spot in the Round of 16. Liverpool will get a serious boost with the return of Mo Salah to a thin attacking group. Liverpool has yet to find a rhythm this season, but if it does, it has the talent to go deep in the Champions League.
Marseille Preview
Marseille has performed well this season, ranking third in Ligue 1 behind only PSG and Lens. It has also been solid in the Champions League, sitting 16th in the table. That is the last spot in the seeded places of the knockout phase. Mason Greenwood is leading the way for Marseille as the leading scorer in Ligue 1 this season. He is always a threat to score and should test the vulnerable Liverpool backline. Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri is also headed to Marseille on loan for the rest of the season, although he is unlikely to be on the squad for this match.
Marseille vs. Liverpool Pick
Liverpool has been very inconsistent this season. However, it is currently on a 12-game unbeaten run. The Reds have managed to avoid some of the bad losses they were taking earlier in the season, but they are still struggling to secure all three points in matches. Liverpool has the same amount of Champions League points as Inter, who sit in sixth in the table. If Liverpool can manage in the top eight, it would be a massive boost for it. Its final two matches in the league phase are against Marseille and Qarabag. Those are two very winnable matches, and two wins would almost guarantee it a spot in the top eight.
My best bet is on Liverpool to win this match. New signings Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike are both finally firing on all cylinders for Liverpool. Mo Salah performed well at AFCON, taking Egypt to the semifinals, and is now back with Liverpool for this match. He will provide a much-needed boost on the right wing. As the Premier League title seems firmly out of reach, Liverpool should pivot its focus to trying to win the Champions League. If it can avoid some of the mistakes that has plagued it in recent weeks, it should get the win against Marseille.
