Marseille started the current European season in the Champions League qualification, having high objectives and rich prospects. However, the team failed from the very first meeting, and the duel with Panathinaikos ended in a Europa League exit. Here, the Provençals found themselves in one of the strongest groups along with Ajax, Brighton and AEK. The French club was very convincing and finished second behind the Premier League representative. Shakhtar played in the Champions League in the autumn as Ukrainian champions. Despite rather low quotes for the possibility of getting into the playoffs of Europe's elite tournament, the Pitmen kept their chances of second place until the last round. The Ukrainian team went into the sixth game day with the expectation of a win that would push Porto into third place, but they lost to the Portuguese 3-5. The first match of the rivals took place in Hamburg and at first had a frankly "down" character. However, in the second half Marseille emphasised some advantage, twice went ahead, but missed the winning score due to a goal conceded on 90+3 minutes. Bookmakers have identified the home team as favourites for the upcoming encounter, offering odds of 1.72 on their victory.

Despite the indicated status before the return meeting, Marseille does not give the impression of a competitive club at the level of the Europa League play-offs. In the national championship, the Provençals are only mid-table neighbours in ninth place with Reims and Strasbourg. Even Lyon, who have been stuck in the relegation zone for the whole first half of the season, are only five points behind Marseille. Before the match with Shakhtar, the Provençals once again embarrassed themselves by losing to Brest. The thing is that Marseille's opponents played in the minority from the 60th minute and scored the winning goal on 88 minutes.

Shakhtar have not yet resumed the season in the national championship, where after the first half of the season they lead the standings in terms of points lost in a high density of competitors. The Pitmen's squad is made up of 90 per cent local players, most of whom are members of the national team. Shakhtar are capable of imposing a fight on their opponents away and, at the very least, exchanging goals with them.