Olympique Marseille vs RC Strasbourg

Marseille and Strasbourg kick off the new Ligue 1 season with plenty to prove. Marseille are looking to build on last term's fifth-place finish under new boss Bruno Genesio, while Strasbourg arrive fresh off Conference League and Coupe de France semi-final runs but are eager to improve on an eighth-placed finish. Marseille head into the opener in fine pre-season form, winning four of their last six friendlies, with Igor Paixao in outstanding touch after scoring in four straight outings. Strasbourg, by contrast, managed just one win across six warm-up games. Marseille will be without Quinten Timber through suspension, while Faris Moumbagna and Nayef Aguerd carry knocks. Strasbourg are missing Joaquin Panichelli long-term with a cruciate injury, and new arrival Giovanni Reyna could make his first start alongside creative spark Sebastian Nanasi. History favours the hosts, who've lost just once in their last 15 meetings with Strasbourg. Our prediction: 2-1