At the dawn of another Ligue 1 campaign, Get French Football News’ journalists make their predictions, picking the title winner, UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League qualifiers, the relegation candidates, the Player of the Season, and the Golden Boot winner. 

Who will be crowned Ligue 1 champions?

Luke Entwistle, Editor-in-Chief

PSG: who else? They have won it for the past five seasons, and no team is well-placed to stop them from making it six in a row. Of last season’s top seven, only Rennes look stronger on paper. There has been regression for the other traditional challengers (Marseille especially, Monaco, Strasbourg, Lens), and stagnation for others (Lyon, Lille). All the while, the two-time European champions have spent the summer strengthening their second string, with the likes of Maghnes Akliouche, Mika Godts, Ferran Torres, and Lucas Digne expected to feature prominently in Ligue 1 and prevent the first-choice options from overly exerting themselves. Not only should Les Parisiens lift the trophy, but they should also do so with much more ease than they did last season. 

Leo Aschi, Sub-Editor

Whether you’re a casual fan, a die-hard supporter, an objective journalist, or even a rebellious detractor, it’s hard for anyone to imagine any team other than PSG lifting the French league title at the end of the season. For the sixth consecutive time. To extend their all-time record to 15 crowns.

Bastien Cheval, Sub-Editor

We are doing this again, aren’t we? Well, so will PSG, you know. Luis Enrique will, once again, aptly use Ligue 1 as a 34-game-long training session for the Champions League, with Les Parisiens going for a three-peat. But it doesn’t necessarily mean Ligue 1 will be a walk in the Parc des Princes for the Spaniard, with a raft of new players settling in…

George Boxall, Sub-Editor

How do you follow a historic treble? The answer for Luis Enrique and PSG was by becoming the first team in the Champions League era outside Real Madrid to go back-to-back as Champions of Europe. The expectation will be a sixth Ligue 1 title. The challengers for the title look weaker (on paper) than last season, but it should be expected that Lens and a revitalised Lyon will be up there chasing behind this campaign.

Liam Wraith, Sub-Editor

How can you choose anyone but PSG? Luis Enrique’s all-conquering team look primed to defend their crown once again. Their summer additions look strong and with one trophy on the board already, it’s hard to see anyone else getting near them this season.

Jeremy Smith, Sub-Editor

It’s impossible to look beyond PSG Saint-Germain. Last season felt like the best chance for another team to win it – they had no summer break, constant injury niggles and the added pressure of their Champions League defence. Despite many players going deep in the World Cup, the squad feels a little fresher and arguably stronger too.

Nick Hartland, Sub-Editor

Title races are rare and something to be savoured in Ligue 1. Last season was a nice treat with Lens running PSG close, but it’s hard to see anyone making a similar challenge this time round. PSG have only strengthened over the summer, likely to avoid a similar wobble, and so a sixth title in a row should be expected. 

Who will qualify for the Champions League?

LUKE – This year’s race for the three other Champions League qualifying spots is unpredictable. Many of the teams that finished inside the European places last season look a lot weaker. As the only side that looks stronger, I would back Rennes, who last season qualified for the Europa League, to take a UCL spot. Consistency in the playing squad (albeit not on the touchline) makes Lille a strong contender. Lyon look well placed to take the final spot, especially after the loan signing of Lois Openda.

LEO – The 2025-26 season has once again shown that Ligue 1 knows how to deliver the drama. And it’s a safe bet that the latter will be on the cards again this year. Because with PSG’s place in the Champions League virtually guaranteed, the chances of qualifying directly for Europe’s premier competition are dwindling irrevocably. As such, it is difficult to say who will come out on top, although RC Lens and the surprise package Rennes strike me as both serious and credible contenders. As for fourth place, however, everything remains more open than ever. I’ll go with Lyon.

BASTIEN – I went 0/3 last year in backing Marseille, Monaco and Strasbourg, so I can hardly do worse this season. Jokes aside, I have been impressed with the seamless summer transition that occurred at Lens following Pierre Sage’s exit. Dino Toppmöller’s Sang et Or have shown plenty of quality, cohesiveness and graft in preseason.

A different kind of new era is in place at Lyon with John Textor, thankfully, no longer involved in the running of Les Gones. Despite some financial restraints, Paulo Fonseca retains a strong squad backed by the club’s famed conveyor belt of talent. With his contract expiring in June, the Portuguese needs to deliver Champions League football. 

Europe’s premier club competition is vital for Marseille. After an omnishambles of a campaign, Les Phocéens went back to basics with the appointment of Bruno Genesio, the embodiment of calm and Ligue 1 experience. I back him to bring stability and results back at the Vélodrome.

GEORGE – Marseille’s financial constraints after a chaotic 2025-2026 season means that any qualification for the Champions League would come as a minor miracle (but possible). But this clearly opens up the path for a few of the resurgent sides of last season. Lyon look best-placed under Paulo Fonseca to challenge for the Champions League, with Lens the other clear contender under new boss Dino Toppmöller.

LIAM – Lyon have managed to maintain the core of their squad. Openda should provide goals to help them compete at the front end. Lens impressed in the Trophée des Champions and though they’ve lost key players, I fancy Toppmöller to impress in Ligue 1. Monaco are also always there or thereabouts and they should challenge if not qualify for the Europa League.

JEREMY – Despite the calming influence of Bruno Genesio, I’m not sure Marseille have the quality or sanity to make it. I’m predicting Rennes to be this season’s Lens and to finish top four. Lyon have recruited well, giving Paulo Fonseca more to work with than last year. And, despite some big changes, Lens will scrape a place.

NICK – Lyon keeping hold of Paulo Fonseca amid a sea of managerial changes elsewhere could be the advantage they need to make good on the promise they showed last season. Rennes have made some canny signings with Adrien Thomasson and Charlie Cresswell and perhaps the podium will await. Lens shouldn’t be discounted from the race even if their resources might be stretched by competing in Europe. 

Who will qualify for the Europa League and the Europa Conference League?

LUKE – Monaco could also be a contender for the UCL, but failing that, I’d back them to secure some form of European football. They are weaker than last year, but could have pulled off a masterstroke in the appointment of Filipe Luís as manager. Lens will likely struggle, having lost their best players, their manager, and having to compete on several fronts. They still have enough to qualify for the Europa League. I think the fact that Strasbourg have no form of European football this season gives them the upper hand in the race for the Europa Conference League spot. I do, however, have doubts about the new manager. Marseille would be best placed to profit from any of the aforementioned teams playing below the expected standard. 

LEO – Just like the battle for the podium – and fourth place – the race to determine which teams will represent Ligue 1 in the Europa League and Conference League promises to be as intense as it is unpredictable. Whilst Olympique Lyonnais, Olympique de Marseille and AS Monaco are obviously the favourites, Strasbourg and Paris FC seem to me to be the perfect underdogs. The former could sneak in for me, perhaps in place of the Principality club.

BASTIEN – A tough one to answer. I expect Rennes to complete a better Ligue 1 season than they did last year. Their over-reliance on Estéban Lepaul and the added strain of eight Europa League group stage games could cause issues, but Franck Haise’s Les Bretons are a solid team on paper. 

Putting Lille or Monaco back in Europe would be a safe but uninspired bet, so I prefer to go with Paris FC. The Arnault-backed Parisiens have strengthened key areas of the squad, Liam Rosenior has a point to prove after a disastrous Chelsea spell, and they won’t play in Europe at all this season.

GEORGE – After a few inconsistent seasons with managerial changes, Rennes look finally able to mount a charge for European football this season with Franck Haise going into his first full campaign. Felipe Luís at Monaco should be able to shake off the disappointment of last season, but much like Davide Ancellotti at Lille, they are two unknown quantities but will be expected to qualify for Europe. The same goes for Strasbourg, who may just miss out.

LIAM – Strasbourg’s link with Chelsea continues to supply an influx of quality which should see them end up in the European places. Lille have managed to keep key players like Fernandez-Pardo and Haraldsson which should also keep them competitive but it remains to be seen how they will perform under Davide Ancelotti, making a Europa League or Conference League place more likely. Marseille are suffering from financial restrictions, but should be in contention.

JEREMY – I think that a gap is beginning to form between the top seven and the rest so, by a process of elimination, the remaining contenders after the Champions League places are Monaco, Lille and Marseille. Monaco will just miss out on a Champions League place and Paris FC will push Marseille all the way for the Conference League place, but maybe just miss out.

NICK – The race for Europe in Ligue 1 is always exceptionally tight. Monaco are a bit of an unknown quantity with new manager Filipe Luís taking his first head coaching job in Europe. My risky bet for the top six is Paris FC; the squad has improved considerably since last season and has the boon of not playing in Europe, something that cannot be said of Lille, who may need some help from the Coupe de France to return to Europe.

Who will be relegated? 

LUKE – It is hard not to be concerned about Troyes. Granted, they won Ligue 2 last season, but they lost their best three players from that campaign (Mathys Detourbet, Martin Adeline, and Tawfik Bentayeb). So far, they haven’t done enough in the transfer window. I worry for Angers now that Alexandre Dujeux has moved on; Stéphane Gilli didn’t convince prior to his sacking at Paris FC last season. Le Mans should also be in the dogfight, but I’m backing them to narrowly survive. I am more concerned about Brest. 

LEO – Whilst OGC Nice came close to disaster a few weeks ago, I find it hard to believe that Les Aiglons will face such difficulties during the 2026-27 season. I would, however, be less categorical about Stade Brestois, whom I see being relegated next May. The newly promoted sides, Troyes and Le Mans, will also face many months of battling to avoid the drop. And watch out for Le Havre; they would be my pick over Le Mans.

BASTIEN – With Reims, Montpellier and Nantes relegated in those last two years, it’s not always the poorest clubs to go down and I back this trend to carry on. Despite being owned by the City Football Group, I don’t see Troyes sticking around for long in the first-tier. Although the appointment of Will Still is a statement of intent, I have a nagging feeling that Auxerre will struggle to stay above the relegation zone.

GEORGE – With the relegation of Nantes goes my start-of-season nailed-on shout in this part of the predictions. But Brest may sadly be the surprise candidate this season to go down following the tragic circumstances that they find themselves in after the death of manager Éric Roy over the summer (although I’d happily be proved wrong). Elsewhere, Le Mans could just about scrape a play-off spot, and Angers look at risk once more.

LIAM – Le Mans’ surprise promotion is one of the great stories heading into the new season, and whilst Patrick Videiria has remained despite interest from elsewhere, I expect their fairytale to end with a swift demotion back to Ligue 2. Troyes will also likely head straight back down with relatively little investment. Angers and Auxerre look like potential contenders, and either one could find themselves in the relegation play-off.

JEREMY – Assuming that they fail to bring in anyone of note, I worry that Troyes, who have lost so much quality, will go straight back down. Despite Will Still coming in, I think Auxerre will struggle without Lassine Sinayoko’s goals, but Still’s nous will see them scrape the play-off place, just ahead of Le Havre.

NICK – Brest enter the new season in exceptionally difficult circumstances. The tragic passing of head coach Eric Roy in June will understandably cast a long shadow over the season. And it’s hard not to think that the football has come back too soon for a club in mourning. Alexandre Dujeux was a forceful figure in Angers’ fight to stay in Ligue 1; one wonders whether they’ll have the same grit with Stéphane Gilli. After two successive promotions, Le Mans remaining in Ligue 1 may be a step too far; I predict the playoffs will come calling.

Who will be Player of the Season?

LUKE – At the risk of sounding really boring, Vitinha is the clear favourite for me in this category. There is a strong argument to be made that the Portugal international has been PSG’s best player in each of their past three seasons. Only Portugal’s poor World Cup ensure that he is an outside shout for the Ballon d’Or; he could still win it, and he would be a deserving winner. So integral for Les Parisiens, he features frequently in Ligue 1, unlike many of the leading cast at the Parc des Princes.

LEO – Once again this season, it’s hard to imagine anyone ending PSG’s 10-year dominance in the ‘Player of the Season’ category. And after two consecutive titles for Ousmane Dembélé, it now seems to me that the time has come for Désiré Doué to take up the torch. In his third season in Paris, I really expect to see him reach a new level and play an even bigger part in a squad that is already brimming with talent. And I’m not just talking about on the pitch, but off it as well, as a true leader in the dressing room.

BASTIEN – Despite featuring in only 22 Ligue 1 games last season, Ousmane Dembélé was named Player of the Season, to give an idea of how low the ceiling is. This season, I’m going for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to make the league his own. Bradley Barcola’s exit means he’ll play much more on his preferred left side, the signing of Mika Godts brings much-needed competition for him and he has rested all summer with Georgia not qualified for the World Cup. Kvaratskhelia needs a platform to show his Ballon d’Or credentials, and it could be Ligue 1.

GEORGE – Hear me out: Michaël Cuisance. Once tipped for big things at Bayern Munich, the Frenchman has taken the scenic route back to Ligue 1. Now 27 and at an ambitious Lens side, perhaps this is finally the season where everything clicks. Stranger things have happened.

LIAM – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has proven to be a big game player with vital contributions on ten biggest stages for Luis Enrique. Whilst there has been some cosmetic surgery on Les Parisiens’ attacking options this summer, it’s hard to see anyone displacing the Georgian international. Either side or through the middle, he always seems to have an effect. I expect him to emerge as the league’s best come the end of the season.

JEREMY – My heart says Michaël Cuisance who is back in France with Lens, but my head says it will no doubt be a PSG player again. If it is to be Ousmane Dembélé, hopefully he’ll have played enough matches to deserve it this time! In usual Luis Enrique style no one player will particularly stand out, so I’ll go Vitinha to get the glory this time.

NICK – It’s always worth taking a risk with these shouts, and mine will go to Lens’ new signing Yacine Titraoui. The midfielder has looked exceptionally pleasing on the eye during preseason and the Trophée des Champions victory over PSG. He has big boots to fill, replacing Mamadou Sangaré, but he looks as if he could be the man to fill them.

Who will win the Golden Boot?

LUKE – With the risk of this prediction looking a little silly, I will back Ferran Torres to win the Golden Boot. He should get lots of minutes in Ligue 1 this season, partially due to Ousmane Dembélé’s injury issues and the fact that, even if he is fit, he will be spared for the UCL fixtures. The Spaniard can be wasteful but arrives with confidence and will very often lead the line for PSG this season. Esteban Lepaul, last season’s top scorer, has been prolific in pre-season. He would also be a safe shout. 

LEO – As a huge fan of stories about players out for revenge, my pick this season is Loïs Openda. The Belgian may well have had a particularly difficult season last year whilst playing for Juventus, but there is little doubt that his goal-scoring instinct remains as sharp as ever. At Lyon, in a team aiming to compete at the top of the table, the 26-year-old will no doubt be keen to remind everyone of the qualities that have made him such a sought-after striker.

BASTIEN – No one could have predicted Estéban Lepaul to win last year’s Ligue 1 Golden Boot. However, the Rennes striker still looks like he could step up a gear or two, as his preseason numbers show. Furthermore, with Mason Greenwood gone, Joaquin Panichelli out injured and Ousmane Dembélé’s declining fitness levels, is there a more reliable Ligue 1 goalscorer right now?

GEORGE – Igor Paixão, anyone? Marseille’s attack has changed significantly this summer, and if the Brazilian stays (and that’s a big IF), there is a real chance he becomes its focal point. He has the pace, directness and eye for goal to cause havoc. A bold shout, perhaps, but not an entirely ridiculous one.

LIAM – Loïs Openda has caused havoc for Ligue 1 defenders before and with him returning, this time with Lyon, I find it hard to see him not replicating this. He has already impressed whilst leading the line in UCL qualifiers for Les Gones.

JEREMY – Last season’s top scorer Esteban Lepaul already looks in good form in pre-season and will be up there. Ferran Torres is coming off the back of a great season including scoring the World Cup-winning goal, but he may have to adapt to a new style of play. I’m going to a slight surprise – Loïs Openda at Lyon.

NICK – I’ll stick my neck out and give the Golden Boot to Pablo Pagis following his move from Lorient to Paris FC. He managed to hit double figures last season for Lorient, who weren’t always the most prolific of sides. At Paris, you could see him getting far more chances, something he has shown hints of during preseason at his new club.