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Champions League football hits our screens in midweek for the first time this year. Matchday seven brings some mouth-watering fixtures as teams push for a place in the next round. We focus on the game in France, where Ligue 1 runners-up Marseille welcome English Premier League champions Liverpool in a clash you can follow live on Wednesday.
The home team started the week 16th in the table, occupying a playoff place. A home win before a global audience would boost their chances of moving into the top eight and securing a place in the finals. To stand any chance of achieving that, the Olympians must defeat a Liverpool side that is already seven places above them in the pecking order.
Traders working at the leading online bookmakers offer over 100 pre-match betting markets on Marseille vs Liverpool. Armchair fans and bettors can call the match-winner, wager on both teams to score, play the handicap, and more. Which bet is best in southern France? Experienced football writer Frank Monkhouse provides his three data-led picks.
Marseille v Liverpool tips
Under 3.5 goals @ 8/15 (bet365)
Liverpool win @ 17/20 (bet365)
Most goals in 2nd half @ 1/1 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Total goals - under 3.5
There's lots going on in France, but we'll keep things simple for our first bet and play the under 3.5 goals markets. With this approach, you're gambling on Marseille vs Liverpool ending with fewer than four goals scored by both teams combined. A 3-0 home win pays the same as a 2-0 away win or a goalless draw. You're concerned only with the number of goals scored.
Looking at Marseille's results in this season's Champions League, we see why backing under 3.5 goals is a strong plan. The French side beat Newcastle United 2-1 in their last home match in this competition. The Magpies took an early lead that day, before Aubameyang scored a quickfire double. Marseille also lost 1-0 to Atalanta here in November.
Switching to Liverpool's recent results, we see the Reds drew 1-1 with Burnley at Anfield on Saturday in the Premier League. The visitors also ended goalless with both Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium and Leeds United on Merseyside. Their last outing in the Champions League produced a 1-0 win over Inter Milan on the road in early December.
Tip: Under 3.5 goals @ 8/15 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need Marseille vs Liverpool to end with fewer than four goals to beat the bookies.
Match winner - Liverpool
We're picking sides for our second bet from the Stade Velodrome, placing our trust in an away win. Liverpool arrive in town with their 2025/26 Champions League stats showing four wins against two defeats, scoring 11 goals, but conceding eight. Arne Slot's team are in the running to improve a place, secure a top eight finish and spot in the next phase.
Liverpool have won three of their previous four in this competition, including victory in their most recent match. The Reds secured a hard-fought three points in Italy when beating Inter Milan 1-0. The winning goal that evening was scored by Szoboszlai from the penalty spot with 88 minutes on the clock. It was a tight but well-deserved win for Liverpool on the road.
Marseille's recent form adds weight to our prediction. The home team have won three games and lost three. Interestingly, Marseille have scored and conceded the same number of goals as their opponents, despite sitting lower in the table. Marseille have lost two of their last four starts in the UCL, and have won only two of their previous five games in Ligue 1.
Tip: Liverpool win @ 17/20 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Liverpool beat Marseille in midweek, you beat the bookies.
Highest scoring half - 2nd
Our third and final bet in the Marseille vs Liverpool showdown is for the second half to produce more goals than the first. You'll find this wager in the highest-scoring half market. The winning margin isn't too important with this bet; all you care about is the total goals scored. Break the game into two halves and hope the second 45 provides the most action.
Marseille defeated both Angers and Bayeux in their last two starts, scoring 14 goals in the process. Six of those goals came in the second period, including a double from Greenwood away from home in the cup. Switching to Liverpool, the visitors conceded a second-half goal against Burnley. We saw three scored in the second half in a 2-2 draw with Fulham.
If you fancy the second half to produce more goals than the first at the Stade Velodrome in midweek, this is your bet. You can play as a single or add this wager to your midweek accumulators or even your Marseille vs Liverpool bet builders. I expect a cagey opening 45 minutes, with both teams remaining calm before taking more of a gamble in the second half.
Tip: Most goals in the second half @ 1/1 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need to see more goals scored in the second half than the opening 45 at the Stade Velodrome in midweek.
Marseille vs Liverpool
Liverpool win @ 17/20 win (bet365)
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.