Royale Union SG vs Marseille prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-12-08 20:00.
[p]Marseille are travelling to Belgium to meet their first-ever opponent in European football, Royale Union SG back in 1962, which started their rich European history of 278 matches.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Royale Union were surprise victors on matchday five, beating Galatasaray 1-0 on the road to secure their second win of the league phase so far, although their six points aren’t enough to see them inside the top 24. Since that famous win, the hosts have failed to win either of their domestic league games (D1, L1) yet they remain comfortably top of the Belgium Jupiler Pro League as they bid to secure back-to-back league titles. Things aren’t guaranteed to get better here either, as playing their UCL home matches at Anderlecht’s Lotto Park seems to be hindering them, losing both such games this term 4-0 against Inter Milan and Newcastle.[/p]
[p]After beating Newcastle 2-1 in their last UCL outing, Marseille entered this round inside the top 24 despite having an identical record to their opponents (W2, L3). Another success here could prove crucial in their fight to reach the knockouts, but visiting manager Roberto De Zerbi has a couple of historical omens conspiring against him. De Zerbi is yet to win back-to-back UCL matches, a record which appears likely to extend here given he’s never overseen an away win in this competition (L5) in his career! Current form doesn’t offer much inspiration either, as Marseille have failed to win their last two matches (D1, L1), including Friday’s defeat to Lille, which left them five points off the pace in the Ligue 1 title race.[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]Royale Union beat Marseille in their only previous two meetings 63 years ago, winning 4-3 on aggregate in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. [/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Four of Royale Union’s five UCL matches this term produced over 3.5 goals.[/p]
[p]Royale Union have conceded inside the opening 15 minutes in three consecutive matches.[/p]
[p]Eleven of Marseille’s last 14 matches featured over 2.5 goals.[/p]
[p]There have been seven goals scored inside the opening 30 minutes of Marseille’s five UCL matches this term.[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Royale Union’s David Promise netted the winner against Galatasaray and has seen his last 25 goalscoring appearances at club level end in victory. Timothy Weah picked up an assist in Marseille’s UCL victory against Newcastle and has scored four of his last six club goals inside the opening 20 minutes of the second half.[/p]
[p]Neither side appear to have any fresh injury concerns.[/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]With Royale Union struggling so badly at Lotto Park, there seems to be great value in backing Marseille to win.[/p]
[p][i]Author: Tomáš Vlasák[/i][/p]