Marseille - Strasbourg

Amine Gouiri spearheads the Marseille attack as they prepare to host Strasbourg on 21 August 2026 for their Ligue 1 matchday 1 encounter. The hosts face a significant defensive challenge, however, as Leonardo Balerdi is sidelined through injury, while Quinten Timber remains unavailable due to suspension. With Jeffrey De Lange expected to start in goal, the side will look to the creative influence of Angel Gomes and Pierre-Emile Hoejbjerg to control the midfield tempo at Stade Orange Velodrome.

Strasbourg arrive with a youthful core, featuring Sekou Mara and Sebastian Nanasi in their expected XI. Their recent history against Marseille has been fiercely competitive, highlighted by a 2-2 draw on 14 February 2026 and a 1-2 defeat in September 2025. With Filip Joergensen anchoring the defensive unit, the visitors will aim to exploit the gaps left by Marseille's absences to secure a positive result in this season opener.