Marseille vs Newcastle: Can the Magpies aim for the top 5?
by Thobelani Moyo | by Cydias Aujard
Can French giants make life difficult for Newcastle United?
Marseille have performed great in Ligue 1 this season and are one of two teams, along with third-placed Lens, shaping up as front-runners for the top spot currently occupied by last season's Champions, Paris Saint-Germain, who maintain a two-point cushion.
A 5-1 thrashing of OGC Nice away from home extended their league winning streak to three games. On the other hand, history was made as that result took their season tally to 33 goals - their best start to a league season since 1948.
In this season's UEFA Champions League, it has been a different story when it comes to their performance. The French giants have yet to hit their stride, having won just one of their last four matches.
The Phocaeans began with a 2-1 defeat against Real Madrid away from home. After that outcome, they mauled Ajax Amsterdam 4-0 at home before misfortune struck them, losing two matches in a row against Sporting Lisbon and Atalanta.
On whether they can make life difficult for the visiting team, it'll depend on how desperate they are for the three points and the atmosphere around them, or whether they can build on their impressive league run.
Newcastle's UCL run outshines their domestic woes
For
Newcastle United, aiming for a top-five finish in the current UEFA Champions League campaign is no longer a dream, but a new standard of improvement to compensate for their unconvincing start in the Premier League.
The Magpies finished fifth in the 2024-25 Premier League season, securing qualification to Europe's top-tier competition after one season away.
However, it has been a rocky start for the English team this time around. Having navigated 12 games so far, they find themselves in 14th place and four points ahead of the relegation zone.
You could easily point to their long list of injuries as a contributing factor to their troubles this season, as many as eight players are ruled out. That isn't the case in this scenario, as that list consists of just two players who have been regular starters: Anthony Gordon, who has traveled with the squad for Tuesday's matchup with Marseille, and Kieran Trippier.
Magpies are doing well in the UEFA Champions League
Despite their inconsistencies in the Premier League this season, the Magpies have been putting in outstanding performances in the current UEFA Champions League.
Eddie Howe’s charges have won three of their last four games in this competition to accumulate nine points and are in sixth place, trailing fifth-placed Paris Saint-Germain on goal difference. They are favored to come out on top and record their fourth win in five matches against Marseille, as mentioned in our Marseille vs Newcastle United prediction by our betting experts.
Check out their current league standings heading into matchday 5:
| Position | Club | Mathes Played | GF/GA | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Bayern Munich | 4 | 14:3 | 12 |
| 2. | Arsenal | 4 | 11:0 | 12 |
| 3. | Inter Milan | 4 | 11:1 | 12 |
| 4. | Manchester City | 4 | 10:3 | 10 |
| 5. | Paris Saint-Germain | 4 | 14:5 | 9 |
| 6. | Newcastle United | 4 | 10:2 | 9 |
| 7. | Real Madrid | 4 | 8:2 | 9 |
| 8. | Liverpool | 4 | 9:4 | 9 |
| 9. | Galatasaray | 4 | 8:6 | 9 |
| 10. | Tottenham Hotspur | 4 | 7:2 | 8 |
The Magpies' return to Europe's top-tier competition after a one-season absence was far from inspiring, as they suffered a narrow 2-1 home defeat against Spanish giants Barcelona.
After that outcome, they wasted no time rediscovering themselves with three consecutive wins over Royal Union Saint-Gilloise (0-4), Benfica (3-0), and Athletic Bilbao (2-0). Another success here will mark their fourth consecutive win and a second in a row when playing away from home.
Read our UEFA Champions League predictions
Final Verdict
Newcastle United can certainly aim for the top five in the UEFA Champions League, but it won't be a walk in the park. The Magpies find themselves firmly in the mix, trailing fifth-placed Paris Saint-Germain on goal difference only. Their performance in this competition has been convincing, with three wins in their last four matches, indicating that momentum is on their side.
Following this matchup with Marseille, they have three challenging fixtures ahead, as they'll be up against Bayer Leverkusen, PSV Eindhoven, and Paris Saint-Germain. If they can maintain their current level of consistency during this stretch, they'll find themselves with a real chance to break into the top five.
