Real Madrid vs Marseille Prediction: Back Los Blancos to score early and often

Real Madrid love the Champions League and after disappointment last time around, they are back and once more among the betting favourites to win it all. They get their campaign underway on Tuesday evening from 20:00 on TNT Sports 1 when they face French side Marseille.

We've asked our La Liga Betting expert to preview this one and he's put together his thought and top betting tips below. You can check out his Real Madrid vs Marseille Predictions here on Betfred Insights...

*For all of our Football Odds then head on over to betfred.com

Real Madrid begin their UEFA Champions League campaign with a home fixture against Marseille on Tuesday night. Xabi Alonso will be hoping his team can continue their 100% start to the season. 

It's four wins out of four for Los Blancos so far in La Liga. While it'd be an exaggeration to say they've hit top gear yet, there have been clear improvements since the end of last season. 

Defensively, they've looked more assured, with only two goals conceded. One of those came via the penalty spot in San Sebastián on Saturday, but despite playing the majority of the game with 10 men following Dean Huijsen's early red card, they dug deep and ground out a 2-1 victory against Real Sociedad. 

They were two goals ahead by the interval in that game, largely thanks to the brilliance of Kylian Mbappé. The Frenchman latched on to a misplaced pass from the home team, to race clear and put his side ahead. It was also great work from the 26-year-old that set up Arda Güler for Madrid's second. 

The difference compared to 12 months ago is striking. This time last year, Mbappé looked weighed down by the expectation levels that were on him, and the sense that his arrival had disrupted the rhythm of a team that had just won the Champions League. One year on, the ex-PSG man just looks supremely confident in everything he's doing, and is thriving on the responsibility of being the focal point of this side. 

He won't be lacking motivation against his former rivals in Ligue 1. Marseille are certainly no strangers to Mbappé, and while they may travel to the Santiago Bernabéu more in hope than expectation, they can be a dangerous side on their day. 

Roberto De Zerbi's team enjoyed a strong 2024/25 campaign, and finished as runners-up to PSG in Ligue 1. That ensured they ended a three-year wait for group or league stage action in this competition. 

However, it has been a rocky summer, marked by a flurry of late transfer activity, including the departures of Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe. The duo were both sold after an incident that De Zerbi likened to 'a bar fight' following a 1-0 defeat at Rennes in August. 

Marseille have suffered a second defeat since then, losing 1-0 at Lyon. It has been a different story at the Stade Vélodrome, though, with Les Olympiens thrashing Paris FC 5-2 and Lorient 4-0 in front of their own fans. 

They went with a fresh central defensive partnership in the Lorient match on Friday, with new signings Benjamin Pavard and Nayef Aguerd both making their debuts. The duo both got on the scoresheet in a game that was conditioned by an early red card for the visiting team's Darlin Yongwa. 

It's fair to say they'll be expecting a busier evening on Tuesday in the Spanish capital, as these clubs clash for the first time since two Real Madrid victories in the group stage of the 2009/10 Champions League. 

Team News: 

Real Madrid have been hit by a fresh injury setback, with Antonio Rüdiger ruled out for around three months with a thigh problem. They'll also be missing Ferland Mendy and Endrick on Tuesday night, but Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham have both been included in the squad following recent fitness issues. 

Some rotation is expected from the weekend. Fede Valverde should return in midfield, while Trent Alexander-Arnold may be preferred to Dani Carvajal at right-back. 

As for Marseille, they have few fitness issues, with Amine Gouiri cleared to travel to Madrid after the head injury he suffered on Friday. Englishman CJ Egan-Riley is available following suspension, but Pavard and Aguerd may keep their places in central defence. 

De Zerbi has options should he wish to freshen up his starting lineup, with Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Matt O'Riley among those pushing for starting roles. 

Real Madrid vs Marseille Odds

Real Madrid are the clear favourites at 4/11 to make a winning start to their bid for a 16th European title. You can back the Draw at 9/2, while Marseille are on offer at 7/1. 

The hosts are priced at 1/1 to score over 2.5 goals in the game, while you can back Real Madrid -1.00 Handicap at 10/11. They are priced at 13/8 to win both halves. 

Alternatively, you can get odds of 2/1 for Draw or Marseille in the Double Chance market. The French side are priced at 5/2 to score over 1.5 goals in the game. 

Given his blistering form, it's no surprise that Mbappé is the 12/5 favourite to score first, while he's on offer at 8/15 to net at anytime. You can back the striker to score two or more goals at 13/5. 

Vinícius Júnior is available at 23/20 to get on the scoresheet, while in-form Güler is priced at 9/5. From a visiting perspective, Mason Greenwood may be the biggest threat, with the ex-Getafe forward priced at 9/1 to score first, and 12/5 to score anytime. 

Bet 1 - Half-Time Result - Real Madrid @ 4/5 

It has become noticeable in the last couple of games that Real Madrid look very keen to take control early on. That may be a deliberate ploy from Alonso, given this side was criticised early last season for its lethargic starts to matches, with their opponents often needing to score before they kicked into life. 

With Mbappé leading the line so well, they've caused big problems early on against their last two opponents, scoring two first-half goals on each occasion. Against an inconsistent Marseille side that is still in a state of transition after a hectic summer, I can see that trend continuing, and I'm backing Real Madrid in the First Half market at 4/5. 

Bet 2 - Real Madrid to score over 2.5 goals & Dean Huijsen 1+ shots @ 6/4 

With Bellingham back in the squad, Los Blancos will have an additional attacking option, most likely to bring off the bench following a lengthy lay-off. There were signs in their last home game of Alexander-Arnold's growing influence from deep positions too, with one outstanding long pass picking out Mbappé, who was ruled just offside. 

Huijsen is another defender who can play a big role in launching attacks, and he has taken up some advanced positions so far in his Madrid career. The Spain international has had at least one shot in all four of his La Liga matches to date, and there's little risk of the 20-year-old being withdrawn here, given he'll be suspended this coming weekend against Espanyol following his red card on Saturday. 

I can see him registering another attempt here, and I'm using the Bet Builder to back Real Madrid to score over 2.5 goals and Huijsen to have 1+ shots at 6/4. 

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