Lens v Marseille: Ligue 1's title challengers meet in key clash
Last season, it was Olympique de Marseille who ran Paris Saint-Germain closest for the Ligue 1 McDonald's title. That was expected to remain the case this season, but instead it has been RC Lens who have defied expectations to emerge as the European champions' major rival so far this season. That, of course, could yet change, as Les Sang et Or and Les Phocéens lock horns on Saturday night.
A season of contrast
Lens and Marseille are located on completely opposite sides of France, with the former tucked up right in the north, nearing the Belgian border, and the latter on the south coast. Complementing the geographical contrast, there has also been a great contrast in their results over the course of the Ligue 1 McDonald's season.
Whilst Pierre Sage's side have been defined by their incredible consistency, OM's season is one of highs and lows. Going into this encounter at the Vélodrome, Lens are on an incredible run of 10 straight wins in all competitions, two of which have come against lower-level opposition in the Coupe de France. Prior to that run, they lost 2-0 to FC Metz, and prior to that, Lens had been on an unbeaten run of five games, which included a 2-1 win against OM, obtained thanks to goals from Odsonne Édouard and an own goal from Benjamin Pavard, back in October.
Lens keep winning… and they face Marseille next week! 🔥🥵 pic.twitter.com/miRJzQSir8
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 17, 2026
Les Phocéens' longest winning-streak is five games long, and started on 12th September, running through until 18th October. And which team was it that brought that run to an end? Lens. Roberto De Zerbi's side would go on to draw against Angers the following week (2-2) in what was one of the low points of the club's season, given that Le Sco's equaliser came in the 96th minute.
Eight points separate OM and Lens
But thereafter, Marseille would rally again, winning their next three games (Auxerre, Brest, and Nice) in what was their second-longest winning streak in the league this season. The win against Le Gym at the Allianz Riviera at the end of November is perhaps the sweetest of their campaign. "I am happy to have won at Nice because every time that I go to Italy, I pass in front of the stadium and it hurt me to think of our defeat back in January (2025). Now I will go past it and remember this 5-1," joked the Italian.
But it has been, overall, a season of conflicting emotions for De Zerbi. The former Brighton manager revealed that the defeat to PSG in the Trophée des Champions earlier in January brought him to tears in the dressing room. It is true that we have seen both sides of this Marseille side, the good and the bad, but despite all of that, they remain in touch with the leaders, eight points behind Lens, going into Saturday's game.
OM's race is far from run, and a good result in front of their fervent home following would put the cat among the pigeons. But to achieve that, they must defeat a Lens side whose last defeat dates back to 29th October - a match perfectly poised.
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