French Soccer League Predictions and Discussion Thread (Ligue 1)

[Cossyblack]

I did said it before that last season PSG got the trophy because they had lesser attention on them amd defending a title is most often tougher than winning it in the first stance.  This season is quite different, although quite a number of the top teams are not looking like they are in their best shape, but then it is not a complete advantage for PSG just yet. They will still have to challenge these top teas to a victory if they will win back the champions league title.

It is convincing to me that PSG is not in a better form to win back the Champions league. Can't you see how they have been struggling to keep up Champions League. Recently PSG performance has declined and they wouldn't be able to defeat sporting at their home with this weak form. If they haven't been able to top the ligue 1 by overtake Lens at the top of the table,I doubt whether PSG would be able to win both trophies this season

[giorgione]

I did said it before that last season PSG got the trophy because they had lesser attention on them amd defending a title is most often tougher than winning it in the first stance.  This season is quite different, although quite a number of the top teams are not looking like they are in their best shape, but then it is not a complete advantage for PSG just yet. They will still have to challenge these top teas to a victory if they will win back the champions league title.

defending a championship like that is certainly difficult, it is clear that this team can do very well, and therefore i would not see it with much difficulty, let's remember that first place is not far away and can be reached at any time, so if i were them i would not panic but i would concentrate on what they have to do while paying attention to all the next steps to take.

[MAAManda]

Besides, it can be said that at least in the UEFA Champions League this team is still in a respectable place as their position is now third, at this stage if they can win that historic challenging game in UCL against Sporting CP, I think their points tally will increase to 16.

What looked clear on paper didn't become reality, Paris-Saint Germain failed to get full points when visiting the José Alvalade Stadium. Based on the match statistics, they deserved at least 1 point, but Luis Javier Suarez ruined their hopes with his late goal. Had they won, they would have been in 2nd place now, 5 points behind Arsenal. Because of their lose, they're now in 5th place with 13 points. They're still in respectable position, but if they don't get good result in the next matchday, I think they will fall out of the good zone.

[banana33]

You are aware that domestic league has nothing to do with European or international competitions, otherwise those winning it aren't obligatory the first in the league. Chelsea for example won FIFA Club World Cup in the USA although being fourth in English Premier League.
I will not deny that being in top of the league is an influenced factor after all but it is not the main thing. Paris Saint-Germain suffered from injuries and the outcomes of its games aren't that good. This team is far from its previous performance and I doubt also they will avance a lot even if they were able to pick the top place in Ligue 1.

Certainly different competitions, different teams and a completely different mentality.
Injuries play the main role in a team's performance regardless of which team you're talking about.
PSG have suffered enough to suffer but still held their own by continuing to give their best, they still remain one of the best performing teams.

[changaa]

Paris Saint-Germain have not been able to progress unilaterally this season as we can see that they are now in second place with one point less, however we will soon see this best club in France take the field against the Portuguese club in a historic Champions League match. On paper and based on statistics, the French club would definitely be ahead in my opinion, but the current form of this team doesn't seem strong to me and they don't seem determined.

Besides, it can be said that at least in the UEFA Champions League this team is still in a respectable place as their position is now third, at this stage if they can win that historic challenging game in UCL against Sporting CP, I think their points tally will increase to 16.

Even though he hasn't been able to progress consistently, he's still in a good position. He's played most of the games he's played well. He's certainly not as fit as he was in previous seasons, but he still makes his presence felt on the pitch and pushes hard when he puts in the effort.
In the UCL she still has a chance to make it and in the league she is close to first place, she has every chance of taking the place of the Lens.

[martinom]

PSG are more unpredictable this season. They can lose points in unexpected matches. It is valid for the Ligue 1 and Champions League both. For example you would remember how it ended 0-0 against Athletic Club.

As for the Ligue 1 they could have easily won all of their matches so far. Let's say similar to Bayern Munich's form in the Bundesliga at least. This is why Lens are still able to keep their lead. But until when will this last?

I still see it like no way they are winning the title as PSG can turn on the beast mode anytime.

PSG are failing to have balance and consistency, but when they put in the effort on the pitch they are truly unstoppable.

A very respectable team that fears nothing, when I see them playing badly with smaller teams it almost seems to do it on purpose, obviously it's just impression, the beast mode could activate it at any time, but why doesn't it do it when it has to?

[Slow death]

PSG are failing to have balance and consistency, but when they put in the effort on the pitch they are truly unstoppable.

A very respectable team that fears nothing, when I see them playing badly with smaller teams it almost seems to do it on purpose, obviously it's just impression, the beast mode could activate it at any time, but why doesn't it do it when it has to?

When was the last time PSG bought players?

When was the last time other teams bought players?

Probably most people aren't seeing that when PSG won the Champions League, they were strong and the other teams were weak. PSG kept the same squad while the other teams made new signings and became very strong, and that's how the other teams managed to beat PSG.

The PSG coach should have foreseen this scenario, that the other teams would make new signings and become strong, and that's why he should have made big signings, but he didn't. Now even winning Ligue 1 is at risk.

[Shadiq]

Certainly different competitions, different teams and a completely different mentality.
Injuries play the main role in a team's performance regardless of which team you're talking about.
PSG have suffered enough to suffer but still held their own by continuing to give their best, they still remain one of the best performing teams.

We have high expectations from PSG after winning the Champions League last season, and they may even be overconfident. They looked unbeatable at the start of the season, but their inconsistent performances in recent times have dented the confidence of PSG fans. Injury problems may be pushing them towards this disaster, but I don't want to use injuries as an excuse. A team or a manager has to be prepared for such a critical situation and have alternative plans. They are currently in a precarious situation in both leagues.

[verdinio]

AS Monaco's performance has been so poor in the last few matches. They are far from people's expectations that they could perform better this season, but inconsistency in play and a crisis within the team have made them very unlucky and caused their position to drop further in the standings.

Their next game is against Le Havre maybe they can take advantage to get points. But if they lose in the end, then that's bad news for them.

I don't think Monaco can put up anything and I don't think it's the situation they're hoping for, they're trying to do as little damage as possible and I understand that, they can't keep up with the pace of the other teams and I understand that, teams like PSG are too strong.

[FanEagle]

The strongest team? I would call her the most prepared, because if she were the strongest she would be in first place don't you think?

Also true that 1 point alone is not a big difference, but I wouldn't underestimate Lens' performance, they have a team that is prepared and performs as well as PSG.
PSG have every chance to come back, but not that Lens are willing to give up their place easily.

Best team and strongest team or the most in form team are all different things. We have to remember that PSG is definitely the strongest team in Ligue 1, just because they are not first place right now doesn't mean they are not the strongest or the best team. They had a period where they were not in form too much and dropped points where they shouldn't have, but they still managed to win.

By logic just think of this, how many games did PSG looked like favourites when they played? In every single game, if a team gets odds like they are going to win every single game, they must be the best team, look at Lens on the other hand, they do not have that odds and that is why they are in form and winning at the moment.

[khiholangkang]

It seems like Monaco needs more time to learn, they are currently in a slump, losing continuously in every match they have last and I think that should be a blow for the management and players, they must be able to conduct a fruitful evaluation to find the best solution they can do in the current situation, I hope seeing the opportunities that exist Monaco can still stay in the top 10 standings, although it is difficult, but they were a strong team before, surely they can also bounce back.

[KTChampions]

It is convincing to me that PSG is not in a better form to win back the Champions league. Can't you see how they have been struggling to keep up Champions League. Recently PSG performance has declined and they wouldn't be able to defeat sporting at their home with this weak form. If they haven't been able to top the ligue 1 by overtake Lens at the top of the table,I doubt whether PSG would be able to win both trophies this season

A team's shape doesn't really matter in the first half of a tournament. Last season, PSG finished 15th in the group stage and was forced into the preliminary playoffs. This did not stop them from ultimately completing the treble and winning the Champions League in a convincing manner. It's unclear whether they are capable of doing this this season, but I see no reason to say that they are not capable. As for Ligue 1, Lens won't be able to maintain their title-winning pace for long, they will lose points more often than PSG. Bookmakers don't see any threat from Lance (or from other clubs) at all.

[slapper]

I still doubt the credibility of this Lens team, because I absolutely don’t believe that they’re good enough right now, well I can say they’re having a good performance in the French League One and they’re topping the League just with a single point, and there is so much that can still happen because it’s a long way from now till May when Tittles are won, but I’m quite happy that a different team outside from Paris-Saint-German are topping the League One Table, and that brings a healthy competition in the League as well, Lens could actually win the League if they’re determined because they’re not in Europe and if they can sigh some players in the Winter Transfer Window by getting some fresh legs and new reinforcements in the team they will probably stand more chance of winning the French League One.

There is nothing bad if you keep doubting the chances of Lens topping the league till May and their performance in the league when you are already seeing that since they moved to the top of the league their performance has changed for better and they are in a good form which means they can stand the chance to extend their points if PSG drops more points. PSG is a better side and they have more opportunities of winning the league but they are not performing so well this season if not they should be very far from the other team already but Lenz is the team doing so well just that they have just one point difference. If they have the financial capabilities to sign more players it's going to be difficult for PSG to overtake them because their performance is eve more better.

Ten straight wins. And there are still people discussing the talent of PSG as though it were some magic shield. However a talent is no use when you are playing every three days and half of your backline is either hurt or is completely new. Hakimi's got no backup. Chevalier has just come from Lille, and he does not even know the names of his defenders yet.

Between matches, Lens has six days. PSG gets three. You think that doesn't matter? Test yourself on three hours of sleep, or six and see which one of you presents better at the office.

The schedule is going to eat PSG alive. Auxerre away on two days rest. Then champions league Newcastle. Then Marseille that loved not otherwise to destroy their season. One slip. That's all it takes.

Sage has made them think they can actually do this. And faith is one of them drugs with your legs behind it.

[$weetne$$]

Certainly different competitions, different teams and a completely different mentality.
Injuries play the main role in a team's performance regardless of which team you're talking about.
PSG have suffered enough to suffer but still held their own by continuing to give their best, they still remain one of the best performing teams.

Well one thing I have observed about PSG is that even in their said best performance, they have not been able to get tto certain position on the table and that for me is enough to not see them as a top performer like most persons are projecting them to be. Anyways we will only just keep hoping  that this performance of theirs takes them far enough that it gets to help them defend the title.

[Tonimez]

Certainly different competitions, different teams and a completely different mentality.
Injuries play the main role in a team's performance regardless of which team you're talking about.
PSG have suffered enough to suffer but still held their own by continuing to give their best, they still remain one of the best performing teams.

Well one thing I have observed about PSG is that even in their said best performance, they have not been able to get tto certain position on the table and that for me is enough to not see them as a top performer like most persons are projecting them to be. Anyways we will only just keep hoping  that this performance of theirs takes them far enough that it gets to help them defend the title.

PSG is gradually loosing form and giving some shocking losses that leaves fans wondering how it happened. Their last two losses has taken same pattern, playing the possession with no final output. Their encounters with Paris FC was devastating purely as they couldn't convert their many shorts on target to goal and this also happened against sporting CP in the champions league. I was really shocked to see PSG loosing the game after controlling the midfield all through the game with 22 shots (6 on target).

At this point anything can happen, they have two titles to defend this season and I don't actually see them defending any of the title. Lens still own the top of the table right now with Marseille trailing 7 points behind. Well the season is still a bit long and table may still take shape but I don't like the heartbreak PSG now cause fans continuously.

[tygeade]

Speaking about Lens, I don't think they are still able to be number 1 until now but iam wrong. I’m not following it closely, but it seems like it has been more than 3 weeks. I haven't watched directly, but I know that Lens has some discarded players from the EPL. This includes Florian Thauvin (former Newcastle), Odsonne Edouard (former Crystal Palace), and Malang Sarr (former Chelsea). These three players have become the mainstays for Lens' new coach. With their 3-4-3 formation, they can play effectively with tight pressing like in the EPL.

They are able to play fast, are effective on set pieces, and can build counterattacks. Although it hasn’t been proven to be great yet, if they can maintain consistency, PSG should be cautious. Overconfidence isn't good for PSG; they need to stay serious. PSG were the European champions last year, this year everything is different, and there will be many different possibilities.

Yep, they are still number one, and one point ahead of PSG, while PSG keeps on winning to get the position back, Lens keeps running away and keep getting wins as well. That gap hasn't changed one bit, Lens didn't lose or draw, PSG didn't lose or draw, they are both just winning.

And I agree, getting players from premier league was a good decision because players do learn to play very tough there, so even at 90th minute they work hard and fight hard to get the win .That is not a bad situation to be in for Lens but like I always say, even if they finish second that's fine.

[Silence Scream]

Certainly different competitions, different teams and a completely different mentality.
Injuries play the main role in a team's performance regardless of which team you're talking about.
PSG have suffered enough to suffer but still held their own by continuing to give their best, they still remain one of the best performing teams.

Well one thing I have observed about PSG is that even in their said best performance, they have not been able to get tto certain position on the table and that for me is enough to not see them as a top performer like most persons are projecting them to be. Anyways we will only just keep hoping  that this performance of theirs takes them far enough that it gets to help them defend the title.

Paris Saint-Germain, as last year's Champions League champions, qualified for this year's competition. They achieved one of the biggest ever victories in a Champions League final, beating Inter by five goals. However, they suffered their second defeat in the competition this year against Sporting Lisbon. Their first defeat, if I remember correctly, was against Bayern Munich. They are currently second in the French League and I can say they've gone through some difficult periods this year. Despite this, they are in a much better position than they were in the first round last year. They will qualify for the finals and are still a strong contender for the championship. I don't see any team in the French League that can overtake them by the end of the season.

[Roseline492]

I did said it before that last season PSG got the trophy because they had lesser attention on them amd defending a title is most often tougher than winning it in the first stance. 

Has there been a time all champions League clubs were weak?, the league is an honor to any club that won so all the team came fully to win even if some knows that they might only end on the way, so PSG did every single thing by there performance from all the willing teams they had meet on the season, was Liverpool the type that gives other teams less attention last season?, they didn't do that because they wanted to win everything including fighting for the champions League last season and which of the club that terminated there continuity, is PSG so don't see them now and think it was because they left them before that's why there victory came.

[Hanadawa]

It is convincing to me that PSG is not in a better form to win back the Champions league. Can't you see how they have been struggling to keep up Champions League. Recently PSG performance has declined and they wouldn't be able to defeat sporting at their home with this weak form. If they haven't been able to top the ligue 1 by overtake Lens at the top of the table,I doubt whether PSG would be able to win both trophies this season

Their defeat in the UCL wasn't a dominant one. Statistically, PSG won in almost every aspect, but Sporting played more effectively and efficiently. Their last UCL match was against Newcastle. They shouldn't be a difficult team for them to beat. And even if they lose, PSG have a very good chance of qualifying. Although the worst case scenario is that they will have to go to the playoffs. As for Ligue 1, I think it's only a matter of time before PSG dislodges Lens from their position. Although Lens performed very well and are not underdogs, it will be difficult for Lens to maintain their first place position with just a one-point lead. Lens will face PSG in April. And if both teams win every match, that match will be a ranking match. Unless PSG loses again or draws several matches.

[banana33]

Ten straight wins. And there are still people discussing the talent of PSG as though it were some magic shield. However a talent is no use when you are playing every three days and half of your backline is either hurt or is completely new. Hakimi's got no backup. Chevalier has just come from Lille, and he does not even know the names of his defenders yet.

Between matches, Lens has six days. PSG gets three. You think that doesn't matter? Test yourself on three hours of sleep, or six and see which one of you presents better at the office.

The schedule is going to eat PSG alive. Auxerre away on two days rest. Then champions league Newcastle. Then Marseille that loved not otherwise to destroy their season. One slip. That's all it takes.

Sage has made them think they can actually do this. And faith is one of them drugs with your legs behind it.

PSG is not up for discussion, there are matches where something could be said for the performance decline, but i think it's a physiological thing.
Putting him under pressure is a bad move in my opinion, it could significantly affect performances for the next matches.
A car can't always go to maximum, sooner or later you have to stop otherwise the engine burns.