The French league has been dominated by French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain, who have won 11 out of the last 13 Ligue 1 titles. Labelled as a Farmer’s league, the French league has never been taken seriously to the heights of the rest of Europe’s top five leagues.
Despite this, the French league is one of the most competitive this year, with seven teams battling it out for the title and key European places for the coming season.
With 4-5 games to go, each spot will go to the wire with everything to play for to determine the success of each side’s season
1st – PSG, 66 points
PSG lead the way as usual, but not as smoothly as they would’ve hoped. The current Champions of Europe finally achieved their lifelong dream of winning the Champions League last season and since are still showing their status in Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
PSG started the season off the back of a Club World Cup final hammering to Chelsea, and were playing not to the standards they reached the season before, with even points trailing second for the league title, but they seem to have put the gears on and are gunning for the French title once again sitting four points clear.
They finished 11th in the Champions League league phase this season. They beat Monaco in an all-French play-off tie 5-4 on aggregate before dismantling Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate to reach the quarter finals. They faced Liverpool, beating them 4-0 across the two legs. Looking back to their best, they face Bayern in the semi-finals in what many people thinking should be the final.
Balon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele is on a hot run of form, leading the way with ten goals in the league alongside Bradley Barcola, who is also on ten goals. Midfield maestro Vitinha leads the way in assists with seven and has been their star player across the season.
2nd – RC Lens, 62 points
Lens currently occupies the second-place spot. After a successful season, Pierre Stage’s men have been pushing for the French title all season, even holding the top spot at certain points during the season.
The side has only ever won Ligue 1 once in the history of the club, and since promotion to Ligue 1 in 2020 they have consistently pushed for the European spots, finishing second in the 2022/23 season.
They sit just four points behind league leaders PSG and face them in the penultimate game of the season in what seems to be the ultimate title decider match, with Lens at home they will hope to use that and boost their hopes of French glory.
Former Crystal Palace striker Odsonne Eduorard leads the way in goals with 12 in the league for them, but their standout player is midfielder Mamadou Sangaré who has been pivotal in their success this season.
3rd – Lyon, 54 points
Lyon currently sit third, with the title pretty much no longer in their sight; their focus is a place in the Champions League next season. Sitting only one point above the chasing pack, the side have no room for error in their remaining four games.
They participated in the Europa League this season and were classed as one of the favourites, finishing top of the league phase, but suffered a shock loss to Spanish side Celta Vigo in the round of 16 and were knocked out and denied European success.
They proved to the whole French league, that they are the team to chase in the Champions League after a 3-0 win in league leaders PSG own backyard.
Pavel Sulc leads the way in goals with 11 in the league, but January transfer Endrick, on loan from Real Madrid, is taking all the plaudits after his magnificent start to life in France and is the key man in securing Lyon’s Champions League football next season.
4th – Lille, 54 points
Lille sit in fourth, on the same points as third-place Lyon, they currently occupy the Europa League place, being one point ahead of the chasing pack.
They participated in this season’s Europa League, finishing 18th and faced Red Star Belgrade in the play-off round, winning 2-1 on aggregate. They were then dumped out to the favourites of the competition, Aston Villa, losing 3-0 on aggregate.
Lille are unbeaten in their last 10 games in the league and are on track to finish in a Champions League place. They are the last team to win the title back in 2021 that wasn’t PSG.
Olivier Giroud, Hakon Arnar Haraldsson and Matias Fernandez-Pardo lead the way in goals, all with seven in the league. Whilst Fernandez-Pardo and Felix Correia lead the way in assists with five each.
5th – Stade Rennais, 53 points
Stade Rennais sit just outside the Champions League spots, sitting just one point away from Lyon and Lille. The side hasn’t played Champions League football since 2020 after disappointing seasons finishing 10th and 12th and 4th.
Rennes are unbeaten in their last four and have to play Champions League rivals Lyon in their run-in in what could be a crucial game in determining whether they will finish in the top three.
Their star man this season has been Esteban Lepaul, who is on a whopping 17 goals in the league, making him not only Rennes top goal scorer but also the French league’s top scorer this season.
Midfielder Valentin Roniger has also been key to their performances this season in the midfield, who also leads the way in assists with five.
6th – Marseille, 52 points
Marseille currently sit in sixth position, two points off a Champions League spot. After an incredible start of the season, they have dropped off massively. Dressing room bust-ups and manager Roberto De Zerbi leaving have left Marseille in a pit struggling to put themselves back on their feet.
They finished 25th in the Champions League league phase this season, missing out on a place in the play-off round due to goalkeeper heroics for Benfica in the last minute meaning they missed out on goal difference.
Since, Marseille’s run of form in the league has been inconsistent leading to dropping out of the Champions League places, trying to chase another season among Europe’s elites.
Mason Greenwood has 15 goals for Marseille in the league, and ex-Arsenal superstar Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has nine for the club. They also signed Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri on loan in January.
7th – AS Monaco, 50 points
Monaco have the biggest mountain to climb, sitting four points away from the top three with only four games remaining. They are winless in their last two and will perfect in the run-in to have any chance of Champions League football next season.
They finished 21st in the Champions League league phase this season, facing PSG in the play-off round but narrowly losing 5-4 to the French side meant it was disappointment for Monaco in Europe for another season.
They face Lille at home in their remaining four games in which could be a pivotal moment in turning the tables for Monaco’s season and helping them reach a European spot.
Folarin Balogun leads the way in goals with 12 in the league for Monaco. The signing of Ansu Fati on loan has proved brilliant for the side as he sits on nine goals in the league, proving he still has the ability he was once heavily praised for at Barcelona.
Everything on the line
With four games to play and only three spots available for Champions League participation next season, each game is pivotal for the determination of whoever finishes where.
With only four points separating five teams, there is no room for error and it will go to the wire to decide who has a place among Europe’s elites next season.
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