Ligue 1 (France) Odds & Predictions

Ligue 1 is the top-tier football league in France. It was founded in 1932 and currently features 20 clubs. The format of the tournament involves each club playing the other clubs twice (once home and once away) for a total of 38 matches. The team with the most points at the end of the season is crowned the champion. Three clubs are promoted from the second division (Ligue 2) to Ligue 1 each season replacing three lowest-ranked sides in Ligue 1. Two teams are automatically promoted but the third one participates in the play-offs.

However, at the end of the 2022/23 season, 4 teams will be relegated to Ligue 2, and 2 teams will be promoted to Ligue 1. The thing is that starting from the next season Ligue 1 will be reduced to 18 clubs instead of the current 20. Once the 2023/24 season is over, the modalities of two teams being promoted directly and one more having a chance to do so via play-offs is likely to return.

Regarding UEFA championship rankings, Ligue 1 currently occupies 5th place in Europe, allowing the league to send several teams to the Champions League and Europa League each season.

In Ligue 1, the top three teams qualify for the UEFA Champions League. While the first two teams directly qualify for the group phase, the third team, as in the case of AS Monaco last season, goes to the third qualifying round to struggle for the place in the group stage.

In recent seasons, the strongest clubs in Ligue 1 have been Paris Saint-Germain, LOSC Lille, Olympique Marseille, and AS Monaco. Paris Saint-Germain have dominated the league, winning the title in 4 out of the last 5 seasons. In the 2020/2021 season, the hegemony of the Parisians was interrupted by LOSC Lille. They were also runners-up in the 2018/2019 season. Olympique de Marseille, LOSC Lille, and AS Monaco have also performed well, regularly finishing in the top 4 and earning a place in a European competition.

In European competitions, Paris Saint-Germain reached the final of the UEFA Champions League in the 2019/20 season but lost to Bayern Munich. However, they have been a regular participant of the tournament and have made it to the knockout stages several times in recent years. On the eve of each season, bookmakers usually set low odds for favorites based on the performance of teams in previous seasons and any notable player transfers.

Ligue 1 Odds

Ligue 1 odds are based on, in the case of most league odds, past success, player transfers, current injuries, and league strength. The current standings and the gap between teams should also be taken into account, as well as the number of games remaining in the season. It is important to note that bookmakers have different margins, and the odds offered by top sportsbooks tend to be better. The odds for the favourites may be low at the start of the season, but this might vary based on the standings and other teams’ performance.

PSG is the dominant team in the league, and they are at the top. Nevertheless, other teams have challenged the Parisians for the title in the 2022/23 season. Marseille, Monaco and Lens could theoretically compete with PSG for the Ligue 1 title.

Popular Ligue 1 Markets

Ligue 1 has a wide range of markets to bet on. Bookmakers offer a variety of long-term Ligue 1 betting odds, for example, on the league winner, relegation odds, and top goalscorer. Other outrights include betting on a team qualifying for the UEFA Champions League or Europa League. Of course, the available betting markets vary from one bookmaker to another. That said, outrights usually do not offer the best odds unless a bettor bets on the underdog.

Ligue 1 Winner Odds

As the 2022/23 Ligue 1 season reaches the second half, Paris Saint-Germain is currently leading the league with all teams having played more than 20 games. With their strong performance this season, bookmakers have set low odds for PSG to win the championship. For instance, the previous 1.02 odds for PSG at Sky Bet betting site were among the lowest of the French Ligue 1 odds. This is a reflection of their dominance in the league as well as their position at the top of the table.

In addition to betting on the Ligue 1 winner, some bookmakers also offer outright bets on which teams will qualify for the Champions League.

In Ligue 1, the leading competitors who are striving to secure a place in the Champions League include Paris Saint-Germain, Olympique Marseille, RC Lens, AS Monaco, and probably Stade Rennais. In recent years, these teams have done well and have a good chance of making it into the Champions League.

Ligue 1 Winners List

A quick look at the Ligue 1 website shows that Paris Saint-Germain is the current dominant club in Ligue 1, having won the championship in 8 out of the last 10 seasons, including the 2021/22 season. AS Monaco won the championship in the 2016/17 season, and Lille won the championship in the 2020/21 season.

AS Saint-Etienne was once one of the most dominant clubs in French football, having won a record 10 Ligue 1 titles. However, their last championship win was in 1981, and since then the club has struggled to maintain its previous level of success. Unfortunately, the club's recent struggles have seen them fall into Ligue 2, where they are currently competing trying to avoid relegation to Championnat National.

Ligue 1 Top Scorer Odds

Each season, bookmakers offer Ligue 1 odds on which player will finish the season as the top scorer. Sky Bet is one of the bookmakers that supports top scorer bets. This market takes into account a player's past performance, current form, and the strength of their team, among other factors. The Ligue 1 2022/23 season has seen some standout performances from several top scorers. Folarin Balogun, Kylian Mbappé, Terem Moffi, and Neymar Jr., Alexandre Lacazette, and Breel Embolo have been at the forefront of the scoring charts.

At the time of this writing, Kylian Mbappé is head-to-head with Folarin Balogun as the top scorer in Ligue 1 in the current 2022/23 season. The Paris Saint-Germain forward has been the top scorer in the French top flight for the past four seasons, starting in 2018/2019. This season, these two continue to battle for the top spot of the Ligue 1 scoring list. With the championship only halfway through, it remains to be seen if Mbappé will extend his record and claim the top scorer title for a fifth consecutive season or Balogun will deny him this season.

Important factors to consider when betting on Ligue 1

When analysing the betting odds on Ligue 1, it is important to consider several factors. First, it is important to be aware of the traditional favourites. PSG has been dominant in the league for the last 10 years and is currently leading the table halfway through the 2022/23 season. Looking at team rankings over the last few years is useful when making a bet in Ligue 1 because it provides valuable insights into a team's recent performance, consistency, and trends. By examining a team's ranking over a number of seasons, you can get a clearer picture of their relative strengths and weaknesses, as well as identify potential patterns that may affect their current performance.

Additionally, it's useful to analyse outstanding championship statistics such as the high goal average. For instance, among the top 3 title contenders, PSG has the highest average goals per match at 3.20 compared to RC Lens and Marseille, who are second and third in the table at 2.35 and 2.85 goals per match, respectively.

Consider the Strengths and Weaknesses of Each Team

You should be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of each team, including their tactical style, the quality of their players, and the impact of any injuries or suspensions. A team with high-calibre players will likely have a greater chance of success than a team with less experienced or talented players.

For example, Paris Saint-Germain boasts a roster filled with top players such as Neymar Jr., Kylian Mbappé, and Lionel Messi. This has contributed to their success in recent seasons, with PSG winning the Ligue 1 championship in 2021/22. Another team that has a strong roster is Olympique de Marseille, who have talented players such as Alexis Sánchez and Dimitri Payet leading their attack. Their strong lineup has helped them consistently perform well in the league and challenge for a top position.

Team’s Objectives and Schedule

It is important to consider each team's objectives and schedule. Teams that have just been promoted to the league or those trying to avoid relegation will likely have a different mindset compared to teams that are vying for European spots or the league title. These objectives will influence their approach to each match, which can have a significant impact on the outcome.

For example, a team that is fighting for a Champions League spot may prioritise their European matches over their domestic fixtures. This could mean that they rotate their squad or rest key players in Ligue 1 matches, making them vulnerable to upsets. On the other hand, a team that is in a relegation battle may adopt a more cautious approach, opting for defensive solidity over attacking flair.

Another factor to consider is the schedule, including the number of fixtures a team has in a given period and their travel arrangements. Teams that have a congested fixture schedule and have to travel long distances for matches are more likely to be impacted by fatigue, which could result in a drop in performance levels.

FAQ Ligue 1