Overview
PSG finally won their first victory in Ligue 1 this season in the previous round, after 3 consecutive winless matches. Ferran Torres' only goal helped the defending champion overcome Brest with a score of 1-0.
Before defeating Brest, PSG only got 2 points after the first three rounds. This result creates conditions for Lille, Monaco and Rennes to rise to the top group of the rankings.
Marseille even had a worse start. The port city team has lost all 3 of their first matches since Bruno Genesio started his coaching term, including a heavy defeat to Strasbourg in the opening round.
Therefore, both teams are under pressure before the confrontation at the Velodrome stadium. Luis Enrique will not want to give reasons for PSG's slow start. However, the schedule also partly makes the defending champions face difficulties. PSG is the second team in this century, after Lorient in the 2022-2023 season, to have to play 4 out of the first 5 matches of a Ligue 1 season away from home.
PSG's only defeat this season was a 1-2 defeat to Monaco at Parc des Princes. Meanwhile, they have only lost one of their last 8 away matches in Ligue 1, besides five wins and two draws. That defeat came against Paris FC, and PSG's most recent defeat when playing outside the capital was against Rennes in February.
The confrontation with Marseille also marks an important milestone for Luis Enrique. This will be the 182nd match he has coached PSG in all competitions, with 120 wins, 34 draws and 27 defeats. This number exceeds 181 matches he has coached Barcelona, becoming the club that Enrique has coached the most matches in his career.
PSG's attack will face a Marseille defense facing many problems. Marseille conceded 36 goals in Ligue 1 in 2026, the most among the teams in this league. Nice also conceded the same 36 goals before the fifth round.
Marseille has never experienced a season start with four defeats in the first 5 matches in Ligue 1. If they continue to be empty-handed against PSG, they may set an undesirable milestone in club history.
Genesio is also facing the risk of receiving up to four defeats in his first 5 matches in Ligue 1 as head coach of Marseille.
Marseille is even more disadvantaged as they have just played in the Europa League. They suffered a 1-4 defeat to Besiktas and will have to quickly recover their fitness before welcoming PSG, while the opponent has a whole week of preparation.
Head-to-head record
PSG is the opponent that caused Marseille to suffer the most defeats since the beginning of the 21st century. Marseille has lost to PSG 38 times in all competitions during this period, besides 13 wins and 12 draws.
Score prediction: Marseille 1-3 PSG
The match between Marseille and PSG takes place at 1:45 am on September 21 (Vietnam time).
