Football Ligue 1 Preview

May 1994 is not a month I remember fondly, that was the month when I first heard the song that would haunt me all summer, Love is all Around by Wet Wet Wet. For PSG fans though it might be remembered a little fonder, that was when they last won the League title, will the French side be top of the charts once again?

Fans of sides other than PSG must brace themselves for a long painful spell (a bit like that neverending summer when Wet Wet Wet conquered the charts) as PSG look set to dominate French Football for a good while. Here are three quick reasons why:

1: They have the best players in the league: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Jeremy Menez, Javier Pastore and Lucas Moura, no side has players of the quality of PSG.
2: They have the best Coach in the league: Carlo Ancelotti is a former Champions League winner, has won domestic titles in Italy and England and has shown at Milan and Chelsea he can handle big name players.
3: Most money in the league: If it starts badly then PSG have the cash and resources to throw even more at it, no club in France can compete.

PSG are 2/5 (Stan James) and I think over a long season look unbeatable, if you disagree and think they can be beaten than paddy Power are offering 2/1 the field. A wiser option is to remove PSG out of the equation and concentrate on betting without them. Here is a look at some of the other teams likely to challenge for that second spot:

LILLE: Eden Hazard was the undoubted star for Lille and now he is gone to Chelsea they must hope that his goals and assists can be shared around the team. Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou has come the other way, while French international Marvin Martin (Sochaux) will be a key addition. Lille are 2/1 (general) to finish top in betting without PSG.

LYON: Once the dominant force in French Football Lyon seem to have had their best days behind them, looking like the outdated CD to the MP3 of PSG. Yohann Gourcuff is the central point of this young side and Lyon should run Lille close at 100/30 (paddy Power).

MARSEILLE: Didier Deschamps is gone as coach (off to manage the national team) as Marseille aim to bounce back from a very disappointing tenth place last season (although they did make the last eight of the Champions League). At 5/1 (paddy Power) better betting options exist.

MONTPELLIER: The defending champions have lost the goals of Olivier Giroud and a thin squad might struggle to cope with the twin demands of Ligue 1 and Champions League. Take the hint from bookmakers who are offering 8/1 (BetVictor) and stay clear.

Those looking for a dark horse might want to try Rennes at 7/1 (Bet Victor) or St Etienne (14/1-BetVictor) in the race to finish top three. Rennes have signed a couple of talented young players in Romain Alessandri and Sadio Diallo and if they can keep Yan Mvila could improve on their sixth place finish last year. Seventh placed St Etienne have kept ahold of highly rated coach Christophe Galtier and they look worth an interest.

A finally recommendation for a top scorer market that is dominated by Zlatan Ibrahimovic at 3/1 (paddy power). An each-way shout is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who grabbed 16 for Rennes last season (finishing fourth equal) and should go well again this season, Skybet have him at 22/1 and this looks worth a small investment.

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09/08/2012     © Frixo 2024