French Soccer League Predictions and Discussion Thread (Ligue 1)

[BlackBoss_]

I've also asked myself the same question many times. What happens in Ligue 1 is unique. In the other leagues we see at least 2 teams or more competing for the title, but in Ligue 1 there is only 1 team and the other teams don't make big signings. Every time Ligue 1 starts, I don't have high expectations, so I already know that PSG will be champion and will have a guaranteed place in the European Champions League. The only thing I keep thinking: how many points ahead will PSG finish compared to the second place.

PSG domination in Ligue 1 is more severe than domination of Bayern Munich in Bundesliga. PSG lost less titles in domestic league than Bayern Munich lost in Bundesliga. In seasons they won domestic leagues, PSG have very strong domination in Ligue 1 and as you said, no actual competitor in Ligue 1 against PSG, while in Bundesliga, sometimes there are clubs that compete seriously with Bayern Munich even at the season ending they lose with big point difference under Bayern Munich.

This kind of strong domination in Ligue 1 is harmful for PSG when they play in UEFA Champions League because their star players are not familiar with tough matches and highest competitiveness. They are familiar with domination in Ligue 1 and lack of necessary concentration when playing in Champions League. Playing against giants in Champions League, lack of concentration within several minutes costs them a loss and it happens many times for PSG.

[adultcrypto]

At this point, we can only make assumptions on which team will manage to take European tournaments spots. Top 3 qualify for the Champions League directly and the 4th finisher goes to playoffs. How do you expect top 4 to be by the end of the season?

PSG is not fighting for the top spot in the points table. Now the target of the teams is to qualify for the Champions League. We thought Marseille would fight for the title. But this team has lost its form badly. If Marseille cannot improve their performance, then it is going to be difficult for them to qualify for the Champions League.

Marseille, Monaco, Nice, Lille, Lyon and Strasbourg are all trying to qualify for the Champions League. And the points gap between these teams is very small. Marseille is only 4 points behind Strasbourg. So the team whose performance is stable now will be able to qualify for the Champions League. It is not possible to make a prediction about which three teams will be in second to fourth place in the table so quickly.

Marseille gave up the chase for the title a long time ago if you have been following them. At first I was thinking they were ready to pull a surprise such as we saw in the German Bundesliga last season by Bayern Leverkusen. They started very well and gave us hopes only to dash them when we least expected. The last beating they received from PSG sealed their fate and confirms that PSG have had their way this season.

If Marseille had closed some of the gaps between them and PSG, they would have had a good opportunity to draw closer when PSG starts playing the champion league matches where they are expected to concentrate most of their players. But the gap is too wide so it will be difficult to close.

[Litzki1990]

I've also asked myself the same question many times. What happens in Ligue 1 is unique. In the other leagues we see at least 2 teams or more competing for the title, but in Ligue 1 there is only 1 team and the other teams don't make big signings. Every time Ligue 1 starts, I don't have high expectations, so I already know that PSG will be champion and will have a guaranteed place in the European Champions League. The only thing I keep thinking: how many points ahead will PSG finish compared to the second place.

PSG domination in Ligue 1 is more severe than domination of Bayern Munich in Bundesliga. PSG lost less titles in domestic league than Bayern Munich lost in Bundesliga. In seasons they won domestic leagues, PSG have very strong domination in Ligue 1 and as you said, no actual competitor in Ligue 1 against PSG, while in Bundesliga, sometimes there are clubs that compete seriously with Bayern Munich even at the season ending they lose with big point difference under Bayern Munich.

This kind of strong domination in Ligue 1 is harmful for PSG when they play in UEFA Champions League because their star players are not familiar with tough matches and highest competitiveness. They are familiar with domination in Ligue 1 and lack of necessary concentration when playing in Champions League. Playing against giants in Champions League, lack of concentration within several minutes costs them a loss and it happens many times for PSG.

In the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich has never been able to single-handedly dominate, but if Bayern Munich has performed well in this league in one season, other teams including Dortmund have performed well, but in the case of PSG, it is completely different. PSG is the only team in the France league that easily wins the local league title and no other team can usually compete with PSG very much. For the past few seasons, I have seen that PSG does not have any additional plans for this local league. They started the season with whichever team they started and performed with that team gradually moved forward and at the end of the season PSG were winning the France league title by a huge margin.

[Velvet78]

PSG domination in Ligue 1 is more severe than domination of Bayern Munich in Bundesliga. PSG lost less titles in domestic league than Bayern Munich lost in Bundesliga. In seasons they won domestic leagues, PSG have very strong domination in Ligue 1 and as you said, no actual competitor in Ligue 1 against PSG, while in Bundesliga, sometimes there are clubs that compete seriously with Bayern Munich even at the season ending they lose with big point difference under Bayern Munich.

This kind of strong domination in Ligue 1 is harmful for PSG when they play in UEFA Champions League because their star players are not familiar with tough matches and highest competitiveness. They are familiar with domination in Ligue 1 and lack of necessary concentration when playing in Champions League. Playing against giants in Champions League, lack of concentration within several minutes costs them a loss and it happens many times for PSG.

I agree about the dominance comparison between PSG and Bayern Munich in their domestic leagues. Bayern Munich have competition against themselves which is named Leverkusen.    But for PSG? There is none.

About the "harmful" part, I don't totally agree. I understand what you are trying to say. But did you watch both legs of the Liverpool matchup? PSG were much better, right? The new version of PSG isn't joking at all in the Champions League. 

[SatoPrincess]

The Ligue 1 title race seems decided with PSG leading the table. The only thing left is the battle for the top four finish. Only 6 points separates second place from seventh and there are still plenty of matches to be played. It will be interesting to see which team secures the top 4 positions at the end of the season.

PSG have completely dominated this season and they are the only unbeaten team. They can almost guarantee themselves to win the title again this season and the most special thing is when Ousmane Dembélé really becomes hungry for goals. Ousmane Dembélé is the most productive player this season in Ligue 1 with 21 goals and 5 assists in 24 games, which is amazing to say. In his second season with PSG, Ousmane Dembélé really proved his quality.

Ousmane Dembélé's improved performance this season is actually inseparable from Luis Enrique's strategic approach towards him. Ousmane Dembélé is often played as a center forward, but he is free to move wherever he wants. He didn't really get this kind of approach while at Barcelona, ​​not even in his first season at PSG.

Ousmane Dembele has always been a good player even at Barcelona he was one if the best wingers in the league causing problems for defenders in every game he played for Barcelona. Seeing him replicate same performance at PSG is no surprise to me because I already know how good he is and the fact that he has improved more under Enrique is just amazing.

[Ruttoshi]

The Ligue 1 title race seems decided with PSG leading the table. The only thing left is the battle for the top four finish. Only 6 points separates second place from seventh and there are still plenty of matches to be played. It will be interesting to see which team secures the top 4 positions at the end of the season.

PSG have completely dominated this season and they are the only unbeaten team. They can almost guarantee themselves to win the title again this season and the most special thing is when Ousmane Dembélé really becomes hungry for goals. Ousmane Dembélé is the most productive player this season in Ligue 1 with 21 goals and 5 assists in 24 games, which is amazing to say. In his second season with PSG, Ousmane Dembélé really proved his quality.

Ousmane Dembélé's improved performance this season is actually inseparable from Luis Enrique's strategic approach towards him. Ousmane Dembélé is often played as a center forward, but he is free to move wherever he wants. He didn't really get this kind of approach while at Barcelona, ​​not even in his first season at PSG.

Ousmane Dembele has always been a good player even at Barcelona he was one if the best wingers in the league causing problems for defenders in every game he played for Barcelona. Seeing him replicate same performance at PSG is no surprise to me because I already know how good he is and the fact that he has improved more under Enrique is just amazing.

Exactly, after Mbappe left I knew that it was time for Dembele to carry the club along because the clubs responsibilities will be much on him. He is indeed a good player who has been improving his performance overtime.

More work needs to be done in PSG and make them focus more on how the can win UCL because the gat the players but they lack the confidence when playing with big teams.

[Sexylizzy2813]

Ousmane Dembele has always been a good player even at Barcelona he was one if the best wingers in the league causing problems for defenders in every game he played for Barcelona. Seeing him replicate same performance at PSG is no surprise to me because I already know how good he is and the fact that he has improved more under Enrique is just amazing.

You're correct but my problem with him then at Barcelona was that he easily get injured but aside from that Ousmane Dembele is just perfect. I love him more at PSG because he has taken that spot light and leading the team just like Mbappe did and the exit of the Madrid forward did not kill the morela of the forwards, the game against Liverpool you could see how Ousmane Dembele showed the leadership in him, forcing his team to get more of the ball, playing without taking a break to get the job done. And I feel this guy can do better than Mbappe if he continues with this form and keep his head down without having issues with the coach.

[Republikcoin.com]

Exactly, after Mbappe left I knew that it was time for Dembele to carry the club along because the clubs responsibilities will be much on him. He is indeed a good player who has been improving his performance overtime.

More work needs to be done in PSG and make them focus more on how the can win UCL because the gat the players but they lack the confidence when playing with big teams.

During this break, the PSG team must use their time to improve the mental quality of their players so that when they return to the Champions League competition they can play much better than before. And if PSG is able to win the Champions League this season, it seems that Mbappe will feel a little regretful for leaving PSG at the end of last season to join Real Madrid. Because PSG must be able to break their eggs by winning the Champions League because that is something they have never felt so far in their football careers.

[Richbased]

At this point, we can only make assumptions on which team will manage to take European tournaments spots. Top 3 qualify for the Champions League directly and the 4th finisher goes to playoffs. How do you expect top 4 to be by the end of the season?

PSG is not fighting for the top spot in the points table. Now the target of the teams is to qualify for the Champions League. We thought Marseille would fight for the title. But this team has lost its form badly. If Marseille cannot improve their performance, then it is going to be difficult for them to qualify for the Champions League.

Marseille, Monaco, Nice, Lille, Lyon and Strasbourg are all trying to qualify for the Champions League. And the points gap between these teams is very small. Marseille is only 4 points behind Strasbourg. So the team whose performance is stable now will be able to qualify for the Champions League. It is not possible to make a prediction about which three teams will be in second to fourth place in the table so quickly.

Marseille gave up the chase for the title a long time ago if you have been following them. At first I was thinking they were ready to pull a surprise such as we saw in the German Bundesliga last season by Bayern Leverkusen. They started very well and gave us hopes only to dash them when we least expected. The last beating they received from PSG sealed their fate and confirms that PSG have had their way this season.

Marseille was no where near PSG right from the start of the season, not to talk of having the ability to do what Leverkusen did in the Bundesliga last season. Marseille only lost hopes when they saw that the consistency of PSG was bigger than them so instead of them to continue chasing who they can't catch, they resigned to faith and gave PSG the advantage of topping the league table with huge gaps. Many of the teams who ended in second position in previous seasons also experienced same thing as Marseille and we can't question their performance because it's just like a marathon race where if you can't catch up with the person in the first position you can even become weak and the other person from the back overtakes and that is what might happen to Marseille because Monaco is just 2 points below them which means they can probably enter the second position if Marseille losses while they win. Apart from the fact that PSG won Marseille, even without that win PSG was doing just fine just look at how they are comfortably topping the table with 19 points.

If Marseille had closed some of the gaps between them and PSG, they would have had a good opportunity to draw closer when PSG starts playing the champion league matches where they are expected to concentrate most of their players. But the gap is too wide so it will be difficult to close.

Paris Saint German never gave Marseille the privilege to close the gap because they kept on winning more matches and that made PSG less concerned about the League games while they're doing well and focusing in the Champions League games.

[eightdots]

Exactly, after Mbappe left I knew that it was time for Dembele to carry the club along because the clubs responsibilities will be much on him. He is indeed a good player who has been improving his performance overtime.

More work needs to be done in PSG and make them focus more on how the can win UCL because the gat the players but they lack the confidence when playing with big teams.

During this break, the PSG team must use their time to improve the mental quality of their players so that when they return to the Champions League competition they can play much better than before. And if PSG is able to win the Champions League this season, it seems that Mbappe will feel a little regretful for leaving PSG at the end of last season to join Real Madrid. Because PSG must be able to break their eggs by winning the Champions League because that is something they have never felt so far in their football careers.

Dembele is at a level where he can play at a high level for his team and most importantly, he can handle this responsibility. Dembele's contribution to the team this season is at a very good level and this contribution increases with each match. Some players can show their performance better when they find the space they want in the team. Dembele also started to perform better when his role in the team changed. Mbappe's departure allowed PSG to reach a better level in terms of performance. It would be wrong to say that the problem in previous seasons was only about Mbappe because the team was conceding very easy goals in some matches and the performance expected from Mbappe was always increasing.

PSG is one of the biggest candidates for the Champions League because the game they play is at a level sufficient for the Champions League final.

[Pandu Geddon]

Paris Saint German never gave Marseille the privilege to close the gap because they kept on winning more matches and that made PSG less concerned about the League games while they're doing well and focusing in the Champions League games.

However, PSG have not lost this season and they have maintained the points gap quite well with Marseille. They do not need to worry too much about Marseille because PSG can still play well in Ligue 1. No team will chase their points at this time. Now let other teams like Monaco, Nice, and Marseille compete for the standings below PSG.
PSG is very ambitious for the Champions League, this season they got a good opportunity in the Quarter-finals and must try to advance to the final. Their performance was not favored at first, especially considering the tough opponents in the qualifying round. But they got that opportunity and they certainly will not waste it.

[Adbitco]

PSG domination in Ligue 1 is more severe than domination of Bayern Munich in Bundesliga. PSG lost less titles in domestic league than Bayern Munich lost in Bundesliga. In seasons they won domestic leagues, PSG have very strong domination in Ligue 1 and as you said, no actual competitor in Ligue 1 against PSG, while in Bundesliga, sometimes there are clubs that compete seriously with Bayern Munich even at the season ending they lose with big point difference under Bayern Munich.

This kind of strong domination in Ligue 1 is harmful for PSG when they play in UEFA Champions League because their star players are not familiar with tough matches and highest competitiveness. They are familiar with domination in Ligue 1 and lack of necessary concentration when playing in Champions League. Playing against giants in Champions League, lack of concentration within several minutes costs them a loss and it happens many times for PSG.

I disagree with you in the part that PSG has won more domestic titles than Bayern Munich in recent years. PSG only started winning the league title after the take over and won it again after over 20 years. Ancelotti won their first league title in 2012/13 season after a decade+ of not winning it. So I will base my analysis from this 2012/13 season till date.
Within this period of time, Monaco won it in 2016/17 season and Lille won it in 2020/21 season that's two domestic trophies off PSG part in this period of years. Bayern on the other won the Bundesliga in 2012/13 up untill just last season when Bayern Leverkusen won it. From this analysis you will see that Bayern Munich in this period of time has more domestic titles than PSG

[irhact]

You're correct but my problem with him then at Barcelona was that he easily get injured but aside from that Ousmane Dembele is just perfect. I love him more at PSG because he has taken that spot light and leading the team just like Mbappe did and the exit of the Madrid forward did not kill the morela of the forwards, the game against Liverpool you could see how Ousmane Dembele showed the leadership in him, forcing his team to get more of the ball, playing without taking a break to get the job done. And I feel this guy can do better than Mbappe if he continues with this form and keep his head down without having issues with the coach.

I just hope it's fair enough to say that since after the exit of Mbappe it has paved more way for Dembele to shine very well and be considered a very star player, he's got more goals now than he'd had when they still had Mbappe on the team, this feels like his opportunity to explore the limelight at PSG, here the pressure feels different than it felt at Barcelona and that could actually be considered the reason for the difference that he doesn't often look injury prone again hear at PSG as much as he was at Barcelona.

[MK-74]

About the "harmful" part, I don't totally agree. I understand what you are trying to say. But did you watch both legs of the Liverpool matchup? PSG were much better, right? The new version of PSG isn't joking at all in the Champions League. 

I can say that Luis Enrique has rebuilt the team. The team is very, very good this year and we saw that again in the Liverpool match.
The team is no longer built on players, it is built on teamwork and they show us that every match. I am hopeful for PSG this year. It would not be a surprise for me if they win the Champions League.
The young talents and Dembele are doing very well this year.

[Sexylizzy2813]

You're correct but my problem with him then at Barcelona was that he easily get injured but aside from that Ousmane Dembele is just perfect. I love him more at PSG because he has taken that spot light and leading the team just like Mbappe did and the exit of the Madrid forward did not kill the morela of the forwards, the game against Liverpool you could see how Ousmane Dembele showed the leadership in him, forcing his team to get more of the ball, playing without taking a break to get the job done. And I feel this guy can do better than Mbappe if he continues with this form and keep his head down without having issues with the coach.

I just hope it's fair enough to say that since after the exit of Mbappe it has paved more way for Dembele to shine very well and be considered a very star player, he's got more goals now than he'd had when they still had Mbappe on the team, this feels like his opportunity to explore the limelight at PSG, here the pressure feels different than it felt at Barcelona and that could actually be considered the reason for the difference that he doesn't often look injury prone again hear at PSG as much as he was at Barcelona.

Yes that's true, when Mbappe was at the club Dembele was doing well but it can never be compared to how he is now, playing with Mbappe is like the player is not letting Dembele showcase what he has in store and like he's playing to the tune of Mbappe just to please him since he was the key man, it must be him and everything must come through I'm (Mbappe) or something. Some of these big players can't play together because one will be outshining the other or giving control.
Both players are good but they can't play together, one has to wait for the other player to perform his own before the other can come do his thing. After Dembele left Dortmund I felt that he lost the better part of himself when he joined Barcelona, he couldn't do things like he used to but at PSG he found some piece of himself, after Mbappe left (like you mentioned) the real runner came out, he became a hungry beast and seeing him as the key man hasade PSG not miss Mbappe. I wish something special happens like one great achievement for the club through him.

[Silence Scream]

The Ligue 1 title race seems decided with PSG leading the table. The only thing left is the battle for the top four finish. Only 6 points separates second place from seventh and there are still plenty of matches to be played. It will be interesting to see which team secures the top 4 positions at the end of the season.

PSG have completely dominated this season and they are the only unbeaten team. They can almost guarantee themselves to win the title again this season and the most special thing is when Ousmane Dembélé really becomes hungry for goals. Ousmane Dembélé is the most productive player this season in Ligue 1 with 21 goals and 5 assists in 24 games, which is amazing to say. In his second season with PSG, Ousmane Dembélé really proved his quality.

Ousmane Dembélé's improved performance this season is actually inseparable from Luis Enrique's strategic approach towards him. Ousmane Dembélé is often played as a center forward, but he is free to move wherever he wants. He didn't really get this kind of approach while at Barcelona, ​​not even in his first season at PSG.

Ousmane Dembele has always been a good player even at Barcelona he was one if the best wingers in the league causing problems for defenders in every game he played for Barcelona. Seeing him replicate same performance at PSG is no surprise to me because I already know how good he is and the fact that he has improved more under Enrique is just amazing.

This year, Ousmane Dembele scored 30 goals in 38 games with Paris Saint-Germain. He took on an important role after Mbappé left the team. He was not as successful last year. So, Mbappé had to leave the team for his value to be understood. Dembele is a very good player and he is showing us all his quality this year. We need to thank Luis Enrique for developing him.

[Platinumys]

About the "harmful" part, I don't totally agree. I understand what you are trying to say. But did you watch both legs of the Liverpool matchup? PSG were much better, right? The new version of PSG isn't joking at all in the Champions League. 

I can say that Luis Enrique has rebuilt the team. The team is very, very good this year and we saw that again in the Liverpool match.
The team is no longer built on players, it is built on teamwork and they show us that every match. I am hopeful for PSG this year. It would not be a surprise for me if they win the Champions League.
The young talents and Dembele are doing very well this year.

The team's current manager, Luis Enrique, must be thanked for such an improvement in PSG's performance. Before Luis Enrique took over PSG PSG only spent money and they only saw failure but after this manager took over PSG he sold several players which made the club somewhat prosperous financially. I haven't seen Luis Enrique significantly buying any players like that so early in the season I thought maybe PSG would never do well with their current squad but as time goes on PSG are performing better under Luis Enrique. Maybe this season we can see PSG finish the Champions League in a good position. If PSG can qualify till the semi-finals at the highest I'd say it's still a big achievement for them.

[Webetcoins]

Exactly, after Mbappe left I knew that it was time for Dembele to carry the club along because the clubs responsibilities will be much on him. He is indeed a good player who has been improving his performance overtime.

More work needs to be done in PSG and make them focus more on how the can win UCL because the gat the players but they lack the confidence when playing with big teams.

During this break, the PSG team must use their time to improve the mental quality of their players so that when they return to the Champions League competition they can play much better than before. And if PSG is able to win the Champions League this season, it seems that Mbappe will feel a little regretful for leaving PSG at the end of last season to join Real Madrid. Because PSG must be able to break their eggs by winning the Champions League because that is something they have never felt so far in their football careers.

Luis Enrique joined PSG in 2023 after his arrival few things happen Mbappé left and PSG playing without big names which give them good chance of having balanced squad which is now giving good results in this season their playing depth is amazing which allow them to beat teams like Manchester City and Liverpool.

They are going for another treble which could be historic, but now chances are high for them to have good result into Champions League which is just because of solid strategy from Luis Enrique because he is one of the well experienced and quality coach in top leagues. After beating hot favourite Liverpool now their moral is high with Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia combo is set for giving them good results chances are high they could be done historic performance and shock their opponents with their consistency now they are heading for third English club Aston Villa in quarterfinal.

[dezoel]

PSG domination in Ligue 1 is more severe than domination of Bayern Munich in Bundesliga. PSG lost less titles in domestic league than Bayern Munich lost in Bundesliga. In seasons they won domestic leagues, PSG have very strong domination in Ligue 1 and as you said, no actual competitor in Ligue 1 against PSG, while in Bundesliga, sometimes there are clubs that compete seriously with Bayern Munich even at the season ending they lose with big point difference under Bayern Munich.

This kind of strong domination in Ligue 1 is harmful for PSG when they play in UEFA Champions League because their star players are not familiar with tough matches and highest competitiveness. They are familiar with domination in Ligue 1 and lack of necessary concentration when playing in Champions League. Playing against giants in Champions League, lack of concentration within several minutes costs them a loss and it happens many times for PSG.

I disagree with you in the part that PSG has won more domestic titles than Bayern Munich in recent years. PSG only started winning the league title after the take over and won it again after over 20 years. Ancelotti won their first league title in 2012/13 season after a decade+ of not winning it. So I will base my analysis from this 2012/13 season till date.
Within this period of time, Monaco won it in 2016/17 season and Lille won it in 2020/21 season that's two domestic trophies off PSG part in this period of years. Bayern on the other won the Bundesliga in 2012/13 up untill just last season when Bayern Leverkusen won it. From this analysis you will see that Bayern Munich in this period of time has more domestic titles than PSG

Qatar takes control of PSG in June 2011 after this in last 14 years they won 11 titles with just three gone to Montpellier 2012, Monaco 2017 and Lille 2021 before this control PSG won their last title in 1994 because Lyon was dominating club with Bordeaux and few other clubs were also enjoying titles after break. This takeover completely changes the momentum of French League because huge investments and unlimited sources give them huge advantage no other club were able to stand against them which give PSG all in control in this season things were looking good but sadly no team capable of giving best and have competition.

Marseille, Monaco, Lille and Lyon are trying their best, but sadly they are not having enough sources to bring quality players and keep consistency Marseille is having some depth, but they need to keep this momentum for long time which can give them success.

[karabiber]

Exactly, after Mbappe left I knew that it was time for Dembele to carry the club along because the clubs responsibilities will be much on him. He is indeed a good player who has been improving his performance overtime.

More work needs to be done in PSG and make them focus more on how the can win UCL because the gat the players but they lack the confidence when playing with big teams.

Enrique has been playing the team according to the circumstances this season and he is having a great season with great efficiency. Dembele is having the best season of his career, even if in Ligue 1 it is not a clear indicator, especially for star players to have good stats. In my opinion, if PSG reach the final of the UCL, Dembele would be the most important candidate for the Ballon Dor. Dembele's dribbling ability and speed are second to none and this season he has added a finishing touch to these qualities. What sets him apart from his peers is that he uses both feet equally. He is having a great season.