Marseille vs Ajax Prediction 30.09.2025 | UEFA Champions League

Marseille returned to the Champions League stage after a three-year absence, but their opening match had a sour note, as they threw away the lead and lost 2-1 at Santiago Bernabeu to record winners Real Madrid, albeit following a controversial penalty decision.

The setback in the Spanish capital did little to shake their confidence, as Roberto De Zerbi’s men responded in style in Ligue 1, first toppling French champions and UCL title-holders PSG 1-0, before following it up with a narrow 2-1 win at Strasbourg.

Admittedly, Olympique Marseille have had a rather grim record in this competition, having ended up on the losing side 19 times in their last 22 UCL appearances, but they won’t let the past get in the way of their ambitions.

Midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia picked up an injury against Real Madrid on the UCL opener, leaving him doubtful for matchday two, while Hamed Junior Traore continues to struggle with a thigh issue and will also miss Tuesday’s action.

After losing their dominance at home, Ajax had to wait three long years for a return to the Champions League, following last season’s shock as they finished second in the Eredivisie, handing the title to PSV despite holding a massive seven-point lead with four games to go.

Unfortunately for them, the Champions League did not start the way they had hoped, as they were comprehensively beaten 2-0 by last season’s UCL finalists Inter Milan in the heart of Amsterdam, immediately casting doubt over their ability to make it among the 24 teams in the League Phase.

After that collapse, the Godenzonen managed to regain their confidence ahead of their second UCL test, putting in commendable Eredivisie performances, first holding fierce rivals PSV to a 2-2 draw in Eindhoven before beating NAC Breda 2-1 over the weekend, maintaining their unbeaten league start.

Despite being the visitors, Amsterdam have shown they can be a handful for any host, losing only three of their previous 19 Champions League away games, which practically means they’ll be seeking their first points in Tuesday’s match.

Branco van den Boomen has been sidelined with a long-standing back injury and has yet to make his season debut, while Kasper Dolberg was withdrawn in the 46th minute against PSV due to an abdominal problem, casting doubt over his availability on Tuesday.