Sturm Graz v Marseille: Europa League preview, predicted line-ups & tips

played at the Merkur-Arena. Neither side has won yet. On the supplied standings snapshot, Sturm Graz sit 26th with one point from two games, while Marseille have lost both of theirs. The standings feed is truncated, so Marseille's exact position is not available. The top 8 go straight to the last 16 and the next 16 enter the play-offs, so a third game without a win would start to narrow the margin for error. Sturm Graz also have the weaker goal record, with none scored from two games.

Sturm Graz opened with a 0-0 draw at home to Rennes on 16 September. They then lost 3-0 away at Bournemouth on 15 October. The form data shows an expected goals figure of 0.37 for and 2.88 against across those two games, with average possession of 38%. Their only clean sheet came in the draw with Rennes.

Marseille lost 4-1 away at Beşiktaş on 17 September, with their only goal arriving between the 16th and 30th minute. They then lost 1-0 at home to Olympiakos Piraeus on 15 October. That leaves them with 1 goal scored and 5 conceded, an average of 2.5 against per game. Their underlying numbers are better than the results: 12.5 shots per game, 0.9 expected goals for and 0.63 against.

Neither side has banked points, so a heavily rotated XI looks unlikely from either dugout. Sturm Graz have used a 5-3-2 in both games and a lengthy injury list limits what the hosts can change anyway. Marseille have started in a 4-2-3-1 both times. The visitors have conceded in every game so far, and the hosts are 0-for-2 in front of goal. Both lines of selection are therefore likely to be driven by need rather than squad management.

Sturm Graz could line up in their usual 5-3-2 with Helac in goal and a back five drawn from Malic, Vallci, Haider, Heil and Maierhofer. The midfield could be Gorenc Stankovič, Hödl and Matoshi, with Kayombo and Beganović up front. Marseille may stay in a 4-2-3-1 with Kondogbia and Aguerd in defence, Gomes and Harit behind a front line of Weah, Paixão and Gouiri, with Maupay leading. These are projections, and the hosts have limited depth in attack.

Kick-off is at 17:45 BST on Thursday 22 October 2026. The match is shown on TNT Sports where selected, and one UK schedule lists it on TNT Sports 6.