marseille vs auxerre opens Matchday 26 at the Stade Vélodrome on Friday as Marseille aim to climb into third while relegation-threatened Auxerre fight for points. Marseille arrive off back-to-back league wins and a home run without a domestic normal-time loss since early January under head coach Habib Beye. Auxerre sit 16th, have drawn their last match and travel without key attacker Lassine Sinayoko through suspension.
Match essentials
Updated 13 Mar 2026 00: 06 ET. This fixture boots off the weekend with clear stakes: Marseille can move alone into third with a win, eyeing an automatic place in next season’s Champions League League Phase, while Auxerre are scrapping to avoid sliding into the automatic relegation places. Marseille beat Toulouse 1-0 last time out and are unbeaten at home in normal time versus a French club since early January under Habib Beye; they sit level on points with Lyon for third. Auxerre are 16th after a 0-0 draw with Strasbourg and have collected points consistently since February, losing only once in their last six league matches.
Scoring details shape the picture: Auxerre are the lowest-scoring side in the league with 19 goals and have yet to score at home this year, while Marseille rely on Mason Greenwood, who netted against Toulouse and stands on 14 Ligue 1 goals this season, tied for the league lead. A single Marseille injury is noted with Quinten Timber listed as doubtful with a knock; for Auxerre, the suspension of Lassine Sinayoko removes their primary offensive threat for this trip.
Marseille Vs Auxerre: Team news and form
Marseille have shown a domestic upturn under Habib Beye, registering wins in two of their last three league outings and improving their chances of a top-three finish. Habib Beye, head coach, Marseille, is unbeaten domestically at the Vélodrome since taking charge and has overseen a run that includes the victory at Toulouse.
Christophe Pelissier, manager, Auxerre, has steadied his squad; Auxerre have taken points on the road in three straight away matches and have won two of their last three league meetings with Marseille, including a 3-1 victory in this fixture last season. The visitors’ form features frequent draws and limited goals, but their resilience on the road has been notable: they have scored five times in their last two away league outings, more than in their earlier travels this season.
Quick context
Marseille’s season has been uneven but is trending positively domestically after managerial change and recent league wins. Auxerre’s survival fight is tight — they sit just a couple of points above the final automatic relegation position and can ill afford another slip-up.
What’s next
The immediate aftermath will reshape priorities: a Marseille victory strengthens an automatic Champions League push and sets up a home meeting with LOSC in the 27th round, scheduled for Sunday, March 22 at 5: 15 pm ET. For Auxerre, any positive result would be a crucial step toward safety and buy time to regroup without their suspended striker.
Final note: this match is pivotal for both sets of objectives and will be judged on whether Marseille can convert home momentum into three points and whether Auxerre can extend their recent away resilience. The marseille vs auxerre encounter carries high stakes for Champions League ambitions and relegation survival alike.
