French Soccer League Predictions and Discussion Thread (Ligue 1)

[Humblevirus]

This slight point difference has been the main reason I have not trusted lens enough to believe they can get PSG out of the way to claim the title this season, and lens do not seem like they have the capacity to further broaden the point difference between them and PSG so most likely in the coming week PSG may be back to the top and Len possibly at the second position again. If PSG see that they have a very slim chance with the champions league, their efforts will obviously be channeled back to the Ligue 1 and you can be sure to they are going to get it.

Whether the point difference is up to 10 points, I will still not be convinced that Lens can win the Ligue 1 title this season. As far as they still have many matches to be played, I believe they are likely to mess up in May. That may be the opportunity PSG will use to take over first place from Lens, because Lens do not have the squad depth to continue with the great form that would help them win Ligue 1. Very soon, most of Lens players will be exhausted, and that will surely reduce their performance.this is not even the first time I have seen a weak team in great form, staying on top of the table for a while before they start messing up. So, if Lens truly want to win the title, they need to strengthen their team very well in the January transfer widow which I can say they may likely to do but even they strengthen their team not still much guarantee that the will win the league because PSG are always with strong squad and not team can be used to compared them in the league.

[$weetne$$]

PSG is just missing the likes of Dembele and Hakimi in their squad because they have been struggling to get the goals coming which have been an essential part of their gameplay but now it's very difficult seeing them break past defense and make that killer blow that always leads to goal and for sure if they continue playing like this, it would definitely affect their performance for good and alot of things can happen as even there stand in securing the French league title would be doubtful.

At this point even if they do not get too many goals, they should just make sure the few they get is giving them the points because in he actual sense, that is what matters the most, if they are getting the points, they will definitely still stay ahead enough to get the points that will give them the title by the end of the season, that which I consider the most important factor for them. Truly apart from the goals, the confidence level of the team in the presences of these two is usually very different.

[pewboy]

There are many games with the same starting eleven. PSG doesn't have a reserve team, which means that when they have games before and after the Champions League, they have poor results. I don't know if the PSG coach thought he could underestimate the Ligue 1 teams and focus more on the Champions League before concentrating on Ligue 1, but the fact is that now they need to remain very focused on Ligue 1.

I have to agree with you, he's basically lost a lot of consistency, he's not as consistent as last year.
In fact, Lens took advantage of this to steal first place in the standings from them and immediately after we have Marseille ready to make the leap.
It's better for Paris Saint-Germain to wake up from their slumber.

[Smack That Ace]

Still 18 rounds left in this season, 1 point difference is not a big deal while PSG is having good chance of defend title and over through their opponents, but Lens performance is really surprising because no one was expecting this from them, currently they are having 7 matches of winning streak.

Now after break, they need to be having same level performance and consistency because this is crucial time and this will give them better chance of winning in French Ligue, mostly teams lost their rhythm near end of season which always bring shocking changes in the table even everyone is still favouring PSG for title but Marseille and Lens can create big challenges to them.

The teams still have  a long journey to go. The first half of the season is not  over yet. PSG is only 1 point behind. This is  not a big gap. If PSG's performance remains stable , they will be able to reduce this gap.

Lens' squad is not stronger than PSG's. But their performance is very  consistent. They have focused only on Ligue 1. And this is why the team is able to perform well in every match in Ligue 1 consistently. On the other hand, PSG's main focus was on the champions league. So their performance in ligue 1 has  become irregular. Even then, psg  can still be considered the favorite for the Ligue 1 title.

[Wake Up]

There are many games with the same starting eleven. PSG doesn't have a reserve team, which means that when they have games before and after the Champions League, they have poor results. I don't know if the PSG coach thought he could underestimate the Ligue 1 teams and focus more on the Champions League before concentrating on Ligue 1, but the fact is that now they need to remain very focused on Ligue 1.

I have to agree with you, he's basically lost a lot of consistency, he's not as consistent as last year.
In fact, Lens took advantage of this to steal first place in the standings from them and immediately after we have Marseille ready to make the leap.
It's better for Paris Saint-Germain to wake up from their slumber.

I don't think this is a problem. Because Paris Saint-Germain will definitely take the lead in the future. For now, Lens can enjoy being in the lead because I think Paris Saint-Germain, with its magnificent squad, is a team strong enough to be the leader again in the French league. I agree that Lens' performance this year has been very good, but they cannot achieve enough consistency to compete with Paris Saint-Germain.

[Lida93]

Was having this conversation with a friend who's a diehard PSG and from his opinion I think some PSG fans understands the circumstances that PSG faces right now focusing energy on the multiple competitions at once. Though the league1 seem to be in their reach already from antecedents but the UCL and Cup competitions is where the uncertainty lies, and I wouldn't really blame Enrique if he fails to retain the UCL title, it's not a common thing to do.

This is not the first time that PSG has to focus on different competitions they did it last season and succeeded this season they are finding it difficult due to the number of injured players that are in the team, PSG do not need to focus on the league and the cup game they still need the champions League and  well as the league title but the champions League is the most difficult one among the trophy they want to defend if they can get to the semi finals they stand the chance of winning it but they need to get back to the form so they can win the league title likewise the cup match.

I do agree it's not the first time for PSG to focus on different competitions but it's their first time to be playing as defending champions in one of the most prestigious and challenging tournament in their history, the UCL, the pressure this time I think would be different for them to cope with as they would try to make certain that they at least should they not win to retain the UCL title that they can finish in an appreciable stage like the semi finals.

[Silence Scream]

Was having this conversation with a friend who's a diehard PSG and from his opinion I think some PSG fans understands the circumstances that PSG faces right now focusing energy on the multiple competitions at once. Though the league1 seem to be in their reach already from antecedents but the UCL and Cup competitions is where the uncertainty lies, and I wouldn't really blame Enrique if he fails to retain the UCL title, it's not a common thing to do.

This is not the first time that PSG has to focus on different competitions they did it last season and succeeded this season they are finding it difficult due to the number of injured players that are in the team, PSG do not need to focus on the league and the cup game they still need the champions League and  well as the league title but the champions League is the most difficult one among the trophy they want to defend if they can get to the semi finals they stand the chance of winning it but they need to get back to the form so they can win the league title likewise the cup match.

I do agree it's not the first time for PSG to focus on different competitions but it's their first time to be playing as defending champions in one of the most prestigious and challenging tournament in their history, the UCL, the pressure this time I think would be different for them to cope with as they would try to make certain that they at least should they not win to retain the UCL title that they can finish in an appreciable stage like the semi finals.

They aimed for the Champions League final, but this year didn't go as well as they expected. Nevertheless, I still believe Paris Saint-Germain has a chance to become Champions League champions. Now, the finals will be played over two legs. The winner and the team advancing to the next round will be determined after two matches. Last year, Paris Saint-Germain won the championship by eliminating very tough opponents; they can show a similar performance in the finals this year. Because they are built around players who play the most professionally in the toughest matches.

[1kodumtek7]

Lens won their last 6 matches in the Ligue 1 which is very impressive work. The next opponent is going to be Toulouse which is likely to be another win for Lens. But still they had better be careful as Toulouse have also been winning for 2 weeks.

By the way there is no game at this weekend too. This is going to mean a two-week break for the league. This time not because of cup matches but because of Christmas. Next round matches are going to start as of January 2.

[Adiljutt156]

This slight point difference has been the main reason I have not trusted lens enough to believe they can get PSG out of the way to claim the title this season, and lens do not seem like they have the capacity to further broaden the point difference between them and PSG so most likely in the coming week PSG may be back to the top and Len possibly at the second position again. If PSG see that they have a very slim chance with the champions league, their efforts will obviously be channeled back to the Ligue 1 and you can be sure to they are going to get it.

Even though PSG is not at the top of the points table, they still have a high chance of winning the Ligue 1 title. The difference between psg  and Lens is only 1 point. But Lens' performance is very stable at the  moment. Lens has been winning for a long time. And if this trend continues, it will be very difficult for PSG to occupy the top  spot of the table. Also, if PSG's performance is inconsistent in the upcoming matches , their point gap with Lens will increase. Luis enrique has to be more aware in ligue 1 matches . Otherwise, they will not be able to regain the top spot of the table.

We saw match of Coupe de France which was one sided because only one team played well in this match And we saw great effort by only one team. Ramos was a top performer of this match because he did 2 goals in this match and he did his first goal at 53 minutes when it was dominanting goal and he applied pressure on opponent team. He did his second goal at 58 minutes and bent match to their sides . Vendée Fontenay Foot football team performance was very poor in this match because they could not do any goal in this match and we saw very poor effort by that team because their stats was also very poor in this match. Paris Saint-Germain football team position is strong because they have good players.

[Agbe]

Lens won their last 6 matches in the Ligue 1 which is very impressive work. The next opponent is going to be Toulouse which is likely to be another win for Lens. But still they had better be careful as Toulouse have also been winning for 2 weeks.

By the way there is no game at this weekend too. This is going to mean a two-week break for the league. This time not because of cup matches but because of Christmas. Next round matches are going to start as of January 2.

This game is definitely going to be tough for Len because Toulouse too has been on a very good run of form as Toulouse has not lost any of their last four matches. The best thing to gamble in this game should be goal goal because Len is going away, it will be difficult for Lens to totally get results over Toulouse which has also been on a good run of form. One thing am beginning to like about the Ligue 1 is that teams has started to wake up because it was rear for other teams apart from PSG to top the table.

[TelolettOm]

At this point even if they do not get too many goals, they should just make sure the few they get is giving them the points because in he actual sense, that is what matters the most, if they are getting the points, they will definitely still stay ahead enough to get the points that will give them the title by the end of the season, that which I consider the most important factor for them. Truly apart from the goals, the confidence level of the team in the presences of these two is usually very different.

However, if we consider the performance of PSG players this season and the previous season, there has been quite a decline. At least in terms of position, it's clear that PSG is currently below Lens, who are top of the table with 37 points, just one point ahead of PSG.

However, when we look at the individual player statistics, the PSG player who has the highest number of goals this season is different. Clearly, the top scorer is Mason Greenwood from Marseille. Meanwhile, PSG is only in 16th place, with Barca with 5 goals and Joao Neves also with 5 goals. Meanwhile, Désiré Doué, Mendes, and Dembele have only scored 2 goals each.

More completed goal statistics in Ligue 1
Source: List of goalscorers Ligue 1 25/26

[whiteblue]

PSG is just missing the likes of Dembele and Hakimi in their squad because they have been struggling to get the goals coming which have been an essential part of their gameplay but now it's very difficult seeing them break past defense and make that killer blow that always leads to goal and for sure if they continue playing like this, it would definitely affect their performance for good and alot of things can happen as even there stand in securing the French league title would be doubtful.

Actually, I don't think so but their performance is erratic when some players are missing which makes their scoring productivity uncertain because in one match they can score at once as if the injured players have no effect but in another match they really struggle to score which makes the situation look a little complicated.

This is what Enrique still cannot anticipate even though if we look at the conditions even though some of their players are missing but when it comes to quality in Ligue 1 they are still very much at the top and should not be too difficult when facing a level of strength far below them but Enrique still cannot stabilize this.

[ShowOff]

Lens won their last 6 matches in the Ligue 1 which is very impressive work. The next opponent is going to be Toulouse which is likely to be another win for Lens. But still they had better be careful as Toulouse have also been winning for 2 weeks.

By the way there is no game at this weekend too. This is going to mean a two-week break for the league. This time not because of cup matches but because of Christmas. Next round matches are going to start as of January 2.

Lens seem set to start the new year with greater enthusiasm, having successfully maintained their position at the top of the table at Christmas. Their next match against Toulouse looks relatively easy in my opinion, as Lens are high on confidence and are far superior statistically.

Meanwhile, PSG will certainly be hoping that Lens drop points so they can take over the top spot. I think the competition will become more intense as the new year begins. Regardless of all that, Lens deserve appreciation for managing to make Ligue 1 this season feel a bit different, especially when many people expected teams like Marseille, Lille, and AS Monaco to be the ones competing closely with PSG.

[$weetne$$]

I do agree it's not the first time for PSG to focus on different competitions but it's their first time to be playing as defending champions in one of the most prestigious and challenging tournament in their history, the UCL, the pressure this time I think would be different for them to cope with as they would try to make certain that they at least should they not win to retain the UCL title that they can finish in an appreciable stage like the semi finals.

You are very correct, PSG will fight for a decent finish at least in the champions league this season if they eventually fail to win the title again as the defending champions.  The Ligue 1 is not even enough distraction to them amd that is why they mostly appear to be giving all. The attention  to the champions league much more than they have been doing to the Ligue 1 which they know they can always find their way around and win even by a few points difference.

[bitgolden]

While I agree that it looks weird when you see PSG not being in the first place, we need to realize that this is also not bad because they are not some lower level team, they are just one point behind or something and could take that lead easily. They can't afford to have 18 amazing players, they have to have 11 great players and then the bench will be just people who cover the whole difference.

Reality is simple, you can't have 18 Dembele, so you have to change that to something better and have a good depth that is just simply decent.

[tygeade]

Working to win both UCL and league back to back is not an easy task at all, we are talking about something that is near impossible. I am sure someone must have done it before, not saying it has not been done before, but I think it must be few, because I do not remember a single team that won league and UCL back to back years. Maybe real may have done that during that 3 years in a row period? Not sure even that was the case considering none of those years were treble.

It's a very difficult thing and this team managed to get six cups in a year, only third team to do that, so of course it's going to be hard for them to continue to be great and of course there could be some stuff going wrong along the way as well.

[ancafe]

You are very correct, PSG will fight for a decent finish at least in the champions league this season if they eventually fail to win the title again as the defending champions.  The Ligue 1 is not even enough distraction to them amd that is why they mostly appear to be giving all. The attention  to the champions league much more than they have been doing to the Ligue 1 which they know they can always find their way around and win even by a few points difference.

The pressure may be different this season than last, as PSG's performances haven't been as good as last season, and I think it will be a little more difficult to defend their Champions League title this season. In Ligue 1 itself, PSG are also under some pressure, as Lens is still top of the table, albeit by just one point. PSG's efforts this season won't be easy, as they face many challenges, especially regarding the Champions League. Defending the title isn't easy, especially if the team's current form isn't as good as last season, and I don't think PSG will be able to reach the semifinals of the Champions League.

[qurbanshah02]

While I agree that it looks weird when you see PSG not being in the first place, we need to realize that this is also not bad because they are not some lower level team, they are just one point behind or something and could take that lead easily. They can't afford to have 18 amazing players, they have to have 11 great players and then the bench will be just people who cover the whole difference.

Reality is simple, you can't have 18 Dembele, so you have to change that to something better and have a good depth that is just simply decent.

If we look at the points, they are 1 point behind Lens, which is not too surprising, but when we hear that they are not in first place, it feels a little like PSG did not to be in this place, while we know that they have won the title. But they are playing well and strong and they will improve by succeeding in the next matches. Marseille is also playing quite well and there is a lot of competition between them. Lens has one mistake, if they are careless in this and do not gain more positions, they will fall into second or third place. If they get PSG's key players in good condition, that is enough because we know that PSG's players are injured every day, so they are suffering some losses. Yes, we can hope for this to happen, but we cannot say much about the changes in players and new results in the match.

[Razmirraz]

Snip

I don't think this is a problem. Because Paris Saint-Germain will definitely take the lead in the future. For now, Lens can enjoy being in the lead because I think Paris Saint-Germain, with its magnificent squad, is a team strong enough to be the leader again in the French league. I agree that Lens' performance this year has been very good, but they cannot achieve enough consistency to compete with Paris Saint-Germain.

The competition in Ligue 1 this season is not as usual, Lens has managed to make the competition more competitive after successfully improving its performance, but this situation is only temporary because sooner or later PSG will return to the top of the standings. Being one point behind Lens is not a big problem for PSG, after all, their performance is still very consistent.
Lens consistency remains questionable, especially considering their class is still below PSG. With so many matches remaining, Lens will face several challenges against teams like Marseille, Lyon, Lille, and even PSG. When that time comes, PSG will once again show their class as the rulers of Ligue 1.

[martinom]

I do agree it's not the first time for PSG to focus on different competitions but it's their first time to be playing as defending champions in one of the most prestigious and challenging tournament in their history, the UCL, the pressure this time I think would be different for them to cope with as they would try to make certain that they at least should they not win to retain the UCL title that they can finish in an appreciable stage like the semi finals.

There is certainly a lot of pressure, it will, be difficult to maintain the title with the teams that are candidates in competition.
Furthermore, playing in different competitions is not an easy thing, concentration is practically impossible to keep constant, as is the risk of not having physical prowess in all competitions where it presents itself, there could also be the risk of missing the opportunity (this must be taken into account).