Ligue 1
Strasbourg, meanwhile, narrowly missed out on European football last season after finishing eighth and have undergone significant changes since then. Portuguese coach Hugo Oliveira has replaced Gary O’Neil and inherits a squad undergoing significant change. More than €60m has been raised through player sales as Le RCS attempt to settle a €13m fine imposed by UEFA. Pre-season [0W, 1D, 6L] has offered little encouragement, beginning with a heavy 7-0 defeat to Sporting CP. That represents a stark contrast to the end of last campaign, when Strasbourg completed a six-match unbeaten away run in Ligue 1, winning three and drawing three [3W, 3D, 0L]. Nevertheless, Le Racing have shown previously that an indifferent pre-season does not necessarily translate into a poor competitive start, having begun 2025/26 with an away victory despite similarly sluggish preparations. They will be without Joaquín Panichelli and Soumaïla Coulibaly due to injury, while Ben Chilwell is a doubt for this clash. Sékou Mara may lead the visitors’ frontline in a 4—2—3—1 pattern against Marseille.
Olympique de Marseille vs RC Strasbourg Alsace begins at 19:45 [GMT+1] on Friday, August 21, at Stade Vélodrome. Marseille and Strasbourg will open the new Ligue 1 season, with both clubs dreaming new management can bring greater stability after turbulent 2025/26 campaigns. Les Phocéens, which sat in fifth place last season, will be hoping new head coach Bruno Génésio can quickly turn their ambitions into results, with supporters dreaming of a first Ligue 1 title since 2009/10. However, financial restrictions continue to limit their options, while tensions have grown between the board and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg after he rejected a move to Newcastle. Those off-field issues have not stopped Les Olympiens from enjoying some encouraging pre-season results [LWWWL], leaving them confident of extending their impressive opening-day record. They have won their first league fixture in six of the last seven seasons [6W, 0D, 1L], while home form also provides reason for optimism, with five victories from their last eight Ligue 1 outings at the Stade Vélodrome [5W, 2D, 1L]. History also favours the hosts, with Les Phocéens losing just one of their last 15 meetings with Strasbourg [6W, 8D, 1L]. Indeed, five of the last six encounters hosted by Marseille have ended level, including each of the previous four, highlighting the potential for another closely fought contest [1W, 5D, 0L]. Génésio will have to cope without Nayef Aguerd, who is still recovering from surgery earlier this year, while Quinten Timber is suspended. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Amine Gouiri leading the OM’s attacking line may be seen against Le Racing.