Friday's European Football Preview: Sevilla Host Elche & Marseille Looking To Bounce Back

Friday's European Football Preview: Sevilla Host Elche & Marseille Looking To Bounce Back

European football is finally back after the international break, as two big clashes in La Liga and Ligue 1 hope to satisfy our club football needs after a week off. Sevilla meet Elche at home and Marseille clash with Lorient.

Sevilla vs Elche

Sevilla host an unbeaten Elche who have managed to grind out some decent results at the start of this campaign, including a 1-1 draw against 11 time La Liga champions Atletico Madrid and a comfortable 2-0 win against Levante.

Meanwhile, Sevilla are struggling at the start of the season, winning only one game against Girona and losing their other two games against Bilbao and Getafe.

Matias Almeyda's team have struggled defensively so far, conceding five goals in their opening two La Liga games. But they did improve on the defensive front last time out with a 2-0 win against Girona.

W#SevillaGirona pic.twitter.com/BNHsFIKdw9

— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) August 30, 2025

A New Addition From Chile

Since their last game in La Liga, Sevilla made the decision to sign Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez on a one season contract.

He didn't have the best of seasons last time out for Udinese, he failed to score in the Serie A. Some would argue that he is past it at the age of 36, but it is clear to see that Sevilla want someone of his class and experience.

Sanchez could make his debut against Elche, but it is unlikely he is going to start. Sevilla will want to ease him into the surroundings at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

🚨📸 Alexis Sanchez was officially unveiled as a Sevilla player yesterday.

(Source: @SevillaFC_ENG) pic.twitter.com/yrzwvXkKiD

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) September 10, 2025

Do Elche Pose a Threat?

With all eyes likely being on Sevilla for this fixture, it would be silly not to mention Elche. They are unbeaten so far this season and have attacking weapons that will threaten Sevilla's somewhat shaky defence.

Andre Silva poses a significant threat to the Sevilla backline, having netted twice in his opening three games for the club.

Elche have shown they can battle it out against the big guns in La Liga, and this should make for a tight game on Friday night.

Prediction

Here at Football Park we have a page dedicated to predictions, giving you our pick for the correct score and a betting tip.

We have done just that for Sevilla vs Elche. Our algorithm predicts Sevilla to earn a second La Liga win in a row which should see them rise to the top half of the table.

We are predicting a 2-1 win for Sevilla.

Marseille vs Lorient

Marseille are looking to bounce back against Lorient on Friday evening, having lost 1-0 last time out against financially struggling Olympique Lyon.

The international break should be a welcome reset for Marseille, as they should be able to regroup and beat Lorient who lost 7-1 to Lille on 30 August.

Marseille are currently sat in 10th position and a win here will lift them to the European positions.

Roberto De Zerbi's men were beaten convincingly against Lyon before the international break, Rulli's goal was peppered with six shots on target from the opposition. Former Burnley and Manchester City centre-back CJ Egan-Riley was also dismissed for a bad challenge against Malick Fofana.

O. Lyon
vs
O. Marseille #OLOM
🇲🇫 31.08 pic.twitter.com/MW7CtAheae

— 𝕊𝕋𝔸ℕ𝔻 𝕐𝕆𝕌ℝ 𝔾ℝ𝕆𝕌ℕ𝔻 👊 (@Ultramaniatics) September 3, 2025

Meanwhile; Lorient have had a mixed start to the season they opened with a 1-0 loss against Auxurre, won 4-0 against Stade Rennais and then lost 7-1 at home LOSC Lille. It will be interesting what sort of team turns up for this fixture, as their form has been highly unpredictable.

🤯⚡️ Lille scored 7 goals in 50 minutes against Lorient! Bruno Genesio's side have already scored 11 goals in Ligue 1 this season (most out of any other team). 🥇🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/xb9iKi7kOA

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) September 6, 2025

Marseille's Former Premier League Attacking Talent

Former Brighton Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi has acquired a range of talents from across all the European League's, including a couple of former Premier League talents.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang currently leads the line for Marseille, his second stint at the club after moving from Chelsea in 2023. The Gabon international has scored two goals in three appearances since his return to the club and poses a significant threat to the Lorient defence who were bombarded last time out.

🚨🔵⚪️ Pierre Emerick Aubameyang to Olympique Marseille, here we go! 🔙

Contract until June 2027 agreed with OM overnight and all verbally done, as @Santi_J_FM reports.

Auba picks OM over bids from Saudi with Longoria, Benatia and De Zerbi on it... and ready to play UCL. 🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/bLaN35K4U3

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 19, 2025

Former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood also features for Marseille on the right wing. He moved to the French Club in 2024 and has been nothing short of a success, scoring 22 goals in 37 appearances.

With Greenwood's lightning quick pace in behind, and Aubameyang's accurate shooting, Marseille should be able to put a couple past Lorient.

Mason Greenwood :

"Pour me signer, Marseille n'avait pas vraiment d'arguments à part la passion des supporters.

Mais ce qui m'a donné envie de signer, c'est quand ils m'ont parlé de la bataille pour la Ligue des Champions et des années à venir."

[@telefoot_TF1] pic.twitter.com/J0V0mVCnl2

— Massilia Zone (@MassiliaZone) January 26, 2025

Defensive Shape Likely For Lorient

After their thrashing at the hands of Lille in August, Olivier Pantolini will look to employ a more defensive shape to avoid another embarrassment. The attacking weapons that Marseille have mean that Lorient's attacking players may be on standby for the majority of this game.

Tosin Aiyegun has been a standout for Les Merlus so far this season, scoring two goals in the league. He seems the most likely to score for the away team, but a bulk of his responsibilities may be taken up by pressing Marseille's backline.

Prediction

After Lorient's thrashing in their last game, Marseille will want to bounce back after their narrow loss against Lyon last time out.

Everything is pointing towards a comfortable Marseille win here. At Football Park we are thinking a 2-0 win for the home team.