Bayer 04 – Marseille: preview
We present the predictions for the Bayer 04 vs. Marseille match in the fourth round of the final stage of the 2026/27 Europa League. In this round, German and French representatives will clash. "Bayer" is determined to continue its winning streak in the tournament, and for "Marseille" this match is the last chance to fight again for playoff qualification.
KEY FACTS
Bayer 04
1. "Bayer" is unstable
The "Pharmacists" have gone through the first Europa League fixtures with a 100% win record: "Zele" 2:0, "Lech" 4:0 and OFI 2:0. The team not only won, but did so with confidence, scoring a lot and defending without conceding goals. "Bayer" practically secured its place in the playoffs.
However, the last home matches raise doubts about the defense. In three games they conceded nine goals. When the offense compensated for defensive mistakes in the Cup —"Nuremberg" 5:2—, in the Bundesliga the team suffered two consecutive defeats: "Hoffenheim" 0:3 and "Stuttgart" 2:4. No sign of stability in Leverkusen has been heard, according to the game and the results of recent weeks.
2. Bayer’s podium is full
One of the reasons for the fluctuations in the home performance is the abundance of injuries. The squad has absences in every line: in defense Loïc Bade and Gela Dwe are out. In midfield and attack Nathan Tela, Christian Coffane, Elis Ben‑Segir, Mussa Diabi and Martin Terrie cannot play.
There are many families, but basically the main ones this season have been only the French Loïc Bade and Mussa Diabi. The large number of injured players affects the rotation possibilities, but does not exclude them. I think the opportunity to show themselves will be taken by Lucas Vázquez, Robert Andric, Malik Tillman and Jonas Hoffmann —they play less in the Bundesliga, but regularly appear on the field in Europe.
3. "Bayer" does not lose points in Europe and is strong at home
The German club feels secure in European clubs, winning all three matches. Moreover, at home the "pharmacists" have lost only one of eight matches since May, achieving six wins and one draw. After losing to Stuttgart 2:4 on the weekend, "Bayer" interrupted its winning streak on its own ground with five matches. In all encounters the team scored at least two goals and in three of six season matches defended without conceding. The team’s attack is strong and stable, and thanks to it Carlos Martínez’s coaches achieve success.
Marseille
1. "Marseille" revives in Ligue 1
The French are sinking in the Europa League: they lost all tournament matches ("Beshiktaş" 1:4, "Olympiacos" 0:1 and "Sturm" 0:1). The team’s attack is toothless, the defense has improved, but that does not give points to the "Provencals". They have zero points after three games, and if they lose in Leverkusen, the playoff chances will practically disappear.
However, in Ligue 1 the coaches of Bruno Genézio are delightful, achieving four consecutive wins with a total of 13:5. In recent rounds they beat "Gavre" 4:3 and "Toulouse" 2:0.
2. The French prioritize the championship
"Marseille" has limited squad potential this season: 15 experienced players, the rest are promising youngsters. Bruno Genézio understands that with such a squad it is difficult to compete in several tournaments, so in the Europa League he makes a massive rotation. Additionally, injuries introduce adjustments. In the last league match, Amin Arith and Emerson were injured and joined the podium with Derek Kornilys.
In European clubs, the players who get stable playing time are Níl Mópe, Célian Abdalla, Bamo Meye, Kélian Bezahaf and Nuhum Kamissoko. In the league his maximum is as a substitute. Moreover, one must wait for Célian Abdalla and Joffrey Kondogbia on the field. The former rested in the league, the latter is regaining form after an injury.
3. Rotation and instability in away matches
The French use rotation in Ligue 1 and in European clubs. The misfortune is that they do not have two equivalent squads. Therefore the team collapses in Europe while improving in Ligue 1. Bruno Genézio aims to correct the situation in the championship.
Moreover, "Marseille" plays poorly in away matches in 2026, regardless of the tournament. In 17 matches the team achieved only six wins, one draw and ten defeats. In the current season —four failures with two successes. In three games the team could not score. In Europe —two defeats in two matches: "Beshiktaş" 1:4 and "Sturm" 0:1.
Approximate lineup
4-2-3-1
4 Blasvih 3
Güiterres 2
Medina 12
Tapsoba 17
Vázquez 8
Andric 6
Fernández 9
Moréira 10
Tillman 7
Hoffmann 14
Shik 1 de Lang 74
Bezahaf 18
Meye 21
Agerd 25
Garcia 19
Kondogbia 42
Kamissoko 48
Abdalla 7
Gomes 14
Paisan 11
Mope
Betting trends
"Bayer" scores no more than two goals in four of the last five matches. "Marseille" concedes no more than two goals in six of the last seven matches. Bet: IT1M2,5 at 1.69.
"Bayer" scores two or more goals in the last six home matches, "Marseille" concedes two or more goals in 11 of the last 16 away matches. Bet: IT1B2 at 1.67.
Forecast
Bayer 04 vs Marseille 06.11.2026 00:00
Teams meet not only in the home stadium but also in European football. Current European clubs handle them differently. The hosts have won all their matches, never conceding and scoring at least two goals. The French, on the other hand, lost all their matches, struggling to create and execute opportunities. At the same time, at home in recent matches "Bayer" loses, and "Marseille" arrives with a four‑win streak. Regarding the head‑to‑head, I expect success for the "pharmacists". In their favor is the home advantage, where they rarely make mistakes, winning five of six season matches and scoring at least two goals. Additionally, "Bayer" has more options to choose the squad, while the opponent has almost none. And don’t forget the French problems at home.
Forecast: 2-1
