The 2020/21 French Ligue 1 season was one of the most intriguing seasons in recent history in France, with Lille unexpectedly claiming the league title at the end of the season, ending PSG’s stranglehold on the title.
The perceived shift in power made PSG go all out to acquire the services of some of Europe’s elite stars in a bid to reclaim their crown.
The 2021/22 season started somewhat surprisingly as a PSG side bereft of its biggest names fell to a 1-0 defeat in the French curtain-raiser, the Trophee Des Champions, against Lille. This is the first time in eight years that PSG would commence the season proper without a trophy.
The Ligue 1 season is set commence on August 6th, with its opening round of matches set to span between the 6th and 8th of August, and it promises to deliver an intriguing battle for the league title and relegation.
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The 2020/21 season saw a new champion produced in the Ligue 1 for the first time in four years in what seemed like an anomaly and a deviation from the norm. The French league title would almost certainly be won by Paris Saint Germain due to the sheer quality of the players they recruited in the off-season as they added names such as Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos, Georginio Wijnaldum and Achraf Hakimi to their already star-studded side, assembling a super team in the process.
Last season’s champions Lille have started the season in the best way possible by winning the Trophee Des Champions, putting them in a good position to push for the Ligue 1 title again this season. With financial capability incomparable with that of PSG, it is expected that Lille would not be able to defend the title they won last season, especially with the quality of recruitment of their rivals in the off-season.
A dark horse for the Ligue 1 title this season may be Olympique Marseille. Managed by former Chike and Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli, Marseille was able to sign a number of quality players to boost their squad ahead of the new season. Youngsters and household names like Cengiz Under, Matteo Guendouzi, William Saliba and Konrad De La Fuente have been brought in from some of the best sides in Europe to raise them to a level from which they can compete for the title.
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Come May, it is widely expected that PSG would be crowned champions of France for the 10th time, finally equalling Saint Etienne’s record tally of Ligue 1 titles. For those interested in betting on football, it would be worth it to bet on Paris Saint Germain to end the season as French champions.
RELEGATION BATTLE
Both of the clubs that have been promoted to the Ligue 1 from the second division this season look incredibly weak compared to the teams they would be meeting in the league.
Troyes won the Ligue 2 championship title to gain promotion to the Ligue 1 after the club came under the management of the City Football Group. A quick look at their squad would reveal that they lack the quality players required to prosecute a season in the top flight, and they are expected to make an immediate return to Ligue 2.
Clermont Foot finished the 2020/21 Ligue 2 season in 2nd place to gain promotion to the Ligue 1 for the first time in the club’s history. Their lack of experience at this level is likely to work against them, making them prime candidates for immediate relegation from the top flight.
FC Lorient had the goals of Nigerian striker Terem Moffi to thank for escaping relegation last season. They may not be so lucky this season and are one of the sides that will probably get relegated from the Ligue 1 at the end of the season.
TIPS FROM OUR PUNTERS
Here is a list of matches that fans who like betting on football can keep an eye on from our in-house punters based on the circumstances surrounding these matches.
- Monaco vs Nantes: The curtain-raiser of the season would be between a side that narrowly escaped relegation via the playoffs and a Monaco side that looks reborn under Nico Kovac. The municipality side are favourites to pick up all three points in the game and have been given 1.37 odds of winning the game. Nantes are by far the underdogs and were given a massive 8 odds of winning the game, with a draw pegged at 4.70 odds on NetBet.
- Troyes vs PSG: Troyes face a daunting task as they welcome PSG on the opening day of the season. PSG would look to test their newly-acquired manpower on the newly-promoted side. Troyes were given 10.50 odds of winning the game, with PSG given 1.25 odds as favourites for the win. A draw between the two has been pegged at 6.0 odds.
- Bordeaux vs Clermont: Clermont face an away trip to Bordeaux on their first ever Ligue 1 match. Bordeaux was unconvincing last season and will hope to have put all of that behind them. Newcomers Clermont are underdogs in the tie, having been given 3.40 odds, with Bordeaux getting 2.15 odds, and a draw pegged at 3.20 odds.
- Metz vs Lille: Champions Lille get to show their championship credentials on the opening day against a considerably weaker side in Metz. The champions are clear favourites and have been given 1.71 odds, and Metz has been given 5.50 odds in the game. A draw has been pegged at 3.35 odds.
